N-Acetyl-D-glucosamine oligosaccharides induce mucin secretion from colonic tissue and induce differentiation of human keratinocytes

Abstract

Chitin oligosaccharides (DP2, DP3, DP4, DP5 and DP7) were investigated for their effects on epithelial cells and tissue (skin keratinocytes in-vitro and ex-vivo, and gastrointestinal epithelial membranes exvivo). Oligomers DP2, DP3 and DP5 at 10microg mL(-1) significantly stimulated the mitochondrial activity of cultured keratinocytes in-vitro (primary cells and HaCaT cell line), with highest activity observed for the pentamer (150% of untreated control). The effects were dose dependent. This higher energy status of primary cells was triggered into a higher differentiation status, as determined by the early and late differentiation markers keratins K1/K10 and involucrin, respectively. In contrast, increased mitogenic cell proliferation was not induced by the oligosaccharides. Toxic effects on keratinocytes were absent. Additionally for the first time a mucin-stimulating effect of chitin oligosaccharides DP3 and DP5 was observed in an ex-vivo model based on intestinal epithelial mucosa tissue. Mucin secretion was time dependent, leading to the secretion of polymers comparable to those normally secreted under physiological conditions. Mucin induction was observed from colonic tissue isolated from humans and pigs. Also, porcine stomach mucosa was stimulated by DP5, while ileum tissue reacted to only a minor extent. Potential developments towards products with wound-healing capacity and activity against chronic bowel disease are discussed.

Aqueous extracts and polysaccharides from Marshmallow roots (Althea officinalis L.): Cellular internalisation and stimulation of cell physiology of human epithelial cells in vitro

“…At higher concentrations of 100 g/mL controversy effects were observed, which were reproducible in several experiments: cellular proliferation was increased strongly, while the dehydrogenase activity rates were reduced below control values. This may be due to a transfer of the excess metabolic activity towards an induction of cellular differentiation processes (Deters et al, 2008).…”

“…For details of cultivation, assays and procedures see Deters et al (2005Deters et al ( , 2008 and Zippel et al (2009a,b).…”

“…On the other side it is still unknown if such bioadhesive polymers are capable to influence the cell physiology of epithelial cells by interacting with glycocalix-related surface receptors (Deters et al, 2005(Deters et al, , 2008, initiating signal cascading into the cell, which again influences cell physiology. Additionally, the first report on the active internalisation of high-molecular polysaccharides into epithelial cells was published recently (Zippel et al, 2009a), indicating clear evidence that endosomal transport will accumulate also high-molecular polymers into the cells, which again leads to initiation of signal transduction by interaction with intracellular mechanisms.…”

Nanostructured Lipid Carrier for Topical Application of N-Acetyl Glucosamine

“…Due to the presence of endogenic NAGA in skin, the determination of skin-deposited NAGA was not possible. 30 Therefore, after in vitro release study, we directly fulfilled the in vivo study on human volunteers.…”

Glucosamine Sodium Sulfate Can Penetrate Skin and May Affect Glucose Metabolism in Rats

“…Proponents suggest, therefore, that GlcN could be used to build bones [5]. GlcN also increases the barrier function of skin cells and stimulates intestinal epithelial cells to secrete mucin, which has an anti-ulcerogenic effect [6,7]. Because of these benefits, GlcN represents a potentially useful biologically active compound [8], and it has already been approved as a prescription drug in Europe, a food supplement in the USA, and a health food in China [9,10].…”