Increased serum hyaluronic acid in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis: relation to its skin content.

Abstract

Abnormalities of hyaluronic acid (HA) of skin have been reported in patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). However, little is known concerning the changes of serum HA in ALS. The purpose of this study was to investigate skin HA content and serum HA levels in ALS patients. We measured skin HA content and serum HA levels in patients with ALS, and compared the results with those of control subjects. Skin HA content in ALS patients was significantly higher than in diseased control subjects and control subjects without neurological disorders, and increased significantly, the longer the duration of illness. Serum HA concentrations in patients with ALS were significantly higher than in diseased control subjects and in healthy control subjects, and were positively and significantly associated with duration of illness. There was an appreciable positive correlation between serum HA concentrations and skin HA content in ALS patients. These data suggest that a metabolic alteration of HA may take place in ALS and increased levels of serum HA may reflect an increased content of skin HA in ALS.