Morphological Manifestations in Hypocalcemic Conditions — Their Relation to Molecular Structural Changes of Glycosaminoglycans in Basement Membrane and Matrix

Abstract

Glycosaminoglycans are widely distributed throughout the animal body; they are in basement membrane (BM) which regulates the exudation across the vessel wall, and in the matrix of connective tissue, which provides the site for cellular movement and other cellular functions. In some organs, such as glomerulus or vessel, they may also maintain the organ’s structures. Their functions are characterized by their high viscosity. Glycosaminoglycans in general have a lot of negative charges in one molecule. When these negative charges are freed, the molecular structure becomes elongated and loosened. On the other hand, when these negative charges are conjugated with cationic ions, their molecular structures become shrunken and condensed(1). Therefore, the molecular structure of glycosaminoglycans, namely colloid-chemical or high viscous properties, is changed by the presence of cationic materials conjugated to their negative charges. Among the many cationic materials, calcium is the most common and widely distributed bivalent salt, which is easily ionized, and is related to both the functions and structures of living animals.