Glycosaminoglycans

Glycosaminoglycans (GAGs) are disaccharides composed of glucuronic or induric acid and acetylglucosamine or acetylgalactosamine. GAGs combine with proteins to form proteoglycans and glycoproteins and are incorporated into connective tissue, mainly of skin, tendons, cartilage, blood vessels and the respiratory tract. Determination of glycosaminoglycans in urine is performed in the diagnosis of mucopolysaccharidoses, diseases with deficiencies of hydrolases lysosomal hydrolases, resulting in the accumulation of GAGs and the the occurrence of a number of organ changes.