Chondroprotective action of chondroitin sulfate. Competitive action of chondroitin sulfate on the digestion of hyaluronan by bovine testicular hyaluronidase.

Lysosomal hyaluronidase is responsible for the degradation of hyaluronan, a component of the extracellular matrix, in degenerative disorders of the joints. It has been hypothesized that the administration of chondroitin sulfate (both a component of the extracellular matrix and a substrate for hyaluronidase) could compete for this enzyme and reduce the degradation process. The present study shows that a mixture of chondroitin 4-sulfate and chondroitin 6-sulfate is a good competitor of hyaluronan for hyaluronidase. The digestion of hyaluronan is reduced in proportion to the amount of competing chondroitin. The competitive ability is dependent on the 4-sulfate, 6-sulfate composition of the chondroitin mixture. Mixtures richer in the 4-sulfate isomer are more effective. The enzymatic reactions have been monitored by HPLC and PAGE.