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Seven commercially available hyaluronan preparations of reported molecular weight were analysed. The weight average molecular weight (Mw) and number average molecular weight (Mn) values obtained for 6 of the 7 preparations using the MALLS-GPC system were in good agreement with the reported values. The abnormally low values for the exception suggested that degradation of hyaluronan had occurred. The MALLS-GPC technique was then used to determine the molecular characteristics of the endogenous hyaluronan in normal ovine synovial fluids. While the Mws ranged from less than 1 x 10(6) Da to 7 x 10(6) Da the majority were between 1-3 x 10(6) Da. [mean Mw = 2.42 x 10(6), mean Mn = 2.21 x 10(6) Da]. The effects of freezing and thawing synovial fluid upon molecular weight of hyaluronan were also investigated and were found to diminish both Mz and Mw values.

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