Chondroitin sulphate

Mucopolysaccharides esterified with sulphuric acid, which occur in vivo as proteoglycans Chondroitin sulfates hydrolyze to sulfuric acid, glucuronic acid, acetic acid and glucosamine. They have a high water-binding capacity.
2 forms are distinguished:

• Chondroitin sulphate A: Consists of the glycosidically linked glucuronic acid and N-acetylgalactosamine
• Chondroitin sulfate B (dermatan sulfate): Consists of the glycosidically linked L-iduronic acid and N-acetylgalactosamine

Chondroitin sulphates are mainly found in cartilage (main component, hence the name), umbilical cord, skin, tendons and connective tissue. Due to their biochemical structure, which determines their high water-binding capacity (see also hyaluronic acid), they cause the special physical properties of the respective tissue (e.g. properties of cartilage, skin).
Chondroitin sulphates are also used in external applications. Contact allergic reactions are rare.

1. Mizumoto S et al (2015) Mutations in Biosynthetic Enzymes for the Protein Linker Region of Chondroitin/Dermatan/Heparan Sulfate Cause Skeletal and Skin Dysplasias. Biomed Res Int 2015:861752.
2. Vigan M (2014) Allergic contact dermatitis caused by sodium chondroitin sulfate contained in a cosmetic cream. Contact dermatitis 70:383-384.