抄録
To clarify the biochemical properties, particularly causative components of the viscoelasticity of middle ear effusions (MEE), glycosaminoglycans (AGAG) were analyzed in 41 mucoid and 21 serous MEE aspirated from 44 patients, aged between 2 and 15, with otitis media with effusion; and in nasal secretions (NS) and sera from corresponding patients. The concentration of total AGAG was calculated by the amount of uronic acid. Two-dimentional electrophoresis using cellulose acetate strips was carried out to analyze the composition of AGAG.
Results of the present study found, 1) that total AGAG content is significantly greater in mucoid MEE than in serous MEE, 2) that MEE contain hyaluronic acid, lowsulfated chondroitin sulfate, heparan sulfate, and sialoglycoprotein. These components were also found in many samples of NS, but components of AGAG in sera differed from those of MEE and NS.
At present, we could not settle what components of mucopolysaccharides mostly concern the viscoelasticity of MEE. Further investigative effort should be done.
