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Hyaluronan homeostasis and its role in pain and muscle stiffness
Author(s) -
Amir Adam,
Kim Soo,
Stecco Antonio,
Jankowski Michael P.,
Raghavan Preeti
Publication year - 2022
Publication title -
pmandr
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.617
H-Index - 66
eISSN - 1934-1563
pISSN - 1934-1482
DOI - 10.1002/pmrj.12771
Subject(s) - hyaluronic acid , homeostasis , glycosaminoglycan , extracellular matrix , inflammation , connective tissue , medicine , microbiology and biotechnology , anatomy , biology , pathology
Hyaluronan (HA) is a glycosaminoglycan that consists of single‐chain polymers of disaccharide units of glucuronic acid and N‐acetylglucosamine. It is a chief constituent of the extracellular matrix. About 27% of the total HA in the body is expressed in the skeleton and connective tissue, while 8% is expressed in muscles. In physiological conditions, HA functions as a lubricant and viscoelastic shock absorber. Additionally, HA is part of complex cellular signaling which modulates nociception and inflammation. This study aims to understand the role that HA plays in the musculoskeletal system, specifically in muscles and the surrounding fascia. This review is also intended to further understand HA homeostasis and the process of its synthesis, degradation, and clearance from the local tissue. The authors examined muscle pain and stiffness as pathological conditions associated with HA accumulation.