Analysis of normal levels of free glycosaminoglycans in urine and plasma in adults
Journal article, 2022

Plasma and urine glycosaminoglycans (GAGs) are long, linear sulfated polysaccharides that have been proposed as potential noninvasive biomarkers for several diseases. However, owing to the analytical complexity associated with the measurement of GAG concentration and disaccharide composition (the so-called GAGome), a reference study of the normal healthy GAGome is currently missing. Here, we prospectively enrolled 308 healthy adults and analyzed their free GAGomes in urine and plasma using a standardized ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography coupled with triple-quadrupole tandem mass spectrometry method together with comprehensive demographic and blood chemistry biomarker data. Of 25 blood chemistry biomarkers, we mainly observed weak correlations between the free GAGome and creatinine in urine and hemoglobin or erythrocyte counts in plasma. We found a higher free GAGome concentration - but not a more diverse composition - in males. Partitioned by gender, we also established reference intervals for all detectable free GAGome features in urine and plasma. Finally, we carried out a transference analysis in healthy individuals from two distinct geographical sites, including data from the Lifelines Cohort Study, which validated the reference intervals in urine. Our study is the first large-scale determination of normal free GAGomes reference intervals in plasma and urine and represents a critical resource for future physiology and biomarker research.

Author

Sinisa Bratulic

Chalmers, Biology and Biological Engineering, Systems and Synthetic Biology

Angelo Limeta

Chalmers, Biology and Biological Engineering, Systems and Synthetic Biology

F. Maccari

University of Modena and Reggio Emilia

F. Galeotti

University of Modena and Reggio Emilia

N. Volpi

University of Modena and Reggio Emilia

Max Levin

Wallenberg Lab.

Sahlgrenska University Hospital

University of Gothenburg

Jens B Nielsen

Chalmers, Biology and Biological Engineering, Systems and Synthetic Biology

BioInnovation Institute

Francesco Gatto

Chalmers, Biology and Biological Engineering, Systems and Synthetic Biology

Journal of Biological Chemistry

0021-9258 (ISSN) 1083-351X (eISSN)

Vol. 298 2 101575

Subject Categories

Analytical Chemistry

Clinical Laboratory Medicine

Environmental Health and Occupational Health

Areas of Advance

Health Engineering

DOI

10.1016/j.jbc.2022.101575

PubMed

35007531

More information

Latest update

2/16/2022