Effect of Hormones on the Turnover of Polysaccharides in Connective Tissues

Abstract

A number of hormones somehow modify the turnover of the polysaccharides in a variety of connective tissues. In hypophysectomized animals the turnover of chondroitin sulfate and hyaluronic acid is decreased; when such animals are given growth hormone the turnover of chondroitin sulfate is enhanced but that of hyaluronic acid is unaltered. The effect of parathyroid extracts may be of a dual nature: in some connective tissues there may be an increase in the rate at which chondroitin sulfate is catabolized, in other tissues its synthesis may be stimulated. Thyroxine effectively restores toward normal the depressed synthesis and breakdown of polysaccharides in hypothyroid animals. Estradiol, in addition to inhibiting the resorption of the metaphyses in rats, inhibits the synthesis of chondroitin sulfate in cartilage and aorta. Cortisone too inhibits the synthesis of chondroitin sulfates and hyaluronic acid; its effect on their catabolism is not as striking.