Author/Editor     Juretić, Dubravka; Krajnović, Vera; Šepetavc, Martina; Petlevski, Roberta; Lukač-Bajalo, Jana
Title     Glycosaminoglycans in the development and therapy of diabetic complications
Type     članek
Source     Acta Pharm Zagreb
Vol. and No.     Letnik 51, št. 2
Publication year     2001
Volume     str. 85-94
Language     eng
Abstract     Glomerular glycosaminoglycans are subject of increasing interest in the investigation of diabetic nephropathy because proteoglycan heparan sulfates make up the polyanionic sites of the glomerular basement membrane and epithelial slit processes with glycoproteins. They serve as the charge barrier maintaining the selective permeability of the renal filter. A defect in the regulation of heparan sulfate production by endothelial, myomedial and mesangial cells determines the susceptibility of diabetic patients to developing proteinuria. Similar changes in heparan sulfate content in the intima of the aortas of patients with diabetes mellitus have been observed, suggesting that the abnormalities in heparan sulfate metabolism are not necessarily restricted to the kidney. Numerous reports showed that heparin and, more generally, heparan sulfate or dermatan sulfate prevent and cure experimental and human diabetic nephropathy. Subcutaneous administration of these glycosaminoglycans protects peritoneal function by affecting the remodeling of the peritoneum in the patient on continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis. The long-term potential side-effects of glycosaminoglycan therapy are osteoporosis and bleeding.
Descriptors     DIABETIC NEPHROPATHIES
PROTEOGLYCANS
GLYCOSAMINOGLYCANS
HEPARIN
HEPARITIN SULFATE
DERMATAN SULFATE
PERITONEAL DIALYSIS