Sulfated glycosaminoglycans in human vocal fold lamina propria.
BACKGROUND
The distribution, concentration and function of glycosaminoglycans in the various vocal fold tissues are still unclear.


OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the distribution and concentration of sulfated glycosaminoglycans in different layers of the human vocal fold according to gender and age.


METHODS
We used 11 vocal folds obtained from cadavers (7 men and 4 women) with no laryngeal lesion, less than 12h after death, and aged between 35 and 98 years. The folds underwent glycosaminoglycans extraction from the cover and ligament, and post-electrophoresis analysis. Data were compared according to the layer, age and gender.


RESULTS
The concentration of dermatan sulfate was significantly higher in all layers. No differences were observed in the total concentrations of glycosaminoglycans in layers studied according to gender. It is significantly lower in the cover of individuals aged below 60 years.


CONCLUSIONS
Dermatan sulfate, chondroitin sulfate, and heparan sulfate were observed in the human vocal folds cover and ligament of both genders, with the concentration of dermatan sulfate being significantly higher in all layers. Glycosaminoglycans concentration on the cover is significantly lower in individuals below 60 years compared with elderly.
Universidade Federal de São Paulo (UNIFESP/EPM), Escola Paulista de Medicina, Departamento de Otorrinolaringologia e Cirurgia de Cabeça e Pescoço, Setor de Laringe e Voz, São Paulo, SP, Brazil.
Sung Woo
SW
Park
Universidade Federal de São Paulo (UNIFESP/EPM), Escola Paulista de Medicina, Departamento de Otorrinolaringologia e Cirurgia de Cabeça e Pescoço, Setor de Laringe e Voz, São Paulo, SP, Brazil.
Gustavo Polacow
GP
Korn
Universidade Federal de São Paulo (UNIFESP/EPM), Escola Paulista de Medicina, Departamento de Bioquímica, Divisão de Biologia Molecular, São Paulo, SP, Brazil.
Elsa Yoko
EY
Kobayashi
Universidade Federal de São Paulo (UNIFESP/EPM), Escola Paulista de Medicina, Departamento de Bioquímica, Divisão de Biologia Molecular, São Paulo, SP, Brazil; Universidade Federal de São Paulo (UNIFESP/EPM), Escola Paulista de Medicina, Departamento de Medicina, Divisão de Endocrinologia e Metabologia, São Paulo, SP, Brazil. Electronic address: jrmacmartins@yahoo.com.br.
João Roberto Maciel
JRM
Martins
Universidade Federal de São Paulo (UNIFESP/EPM), Escola Paulista de Medicina, Departamento de Otorrinolaringologia e Cirurgia de Cabeça e Pescoço, Setor de Laringe e Voz, São Paulo, SP, Brazil; Pontifícia Universidade Católica de São Paulo (PUC-SP), São Paulo, SP, Brazil. Electronic address: ngdebiase@gmail.com.
Noemi Grigoletto
NG
De Biase
D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002102:Cadaver; D005260:Female; D006025:Glycosaminoglycans / Q000032:analysis*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012737:Sex Factors; D014827:Vocal Cords / Q000737:chemistry*
D006025:Glycosaminoglycans
Glicosaminoglicanas; Glycosaminoglycans; Laringe; Larynx; Pregas vocais; Vocal folds