Part 3 - HYALURONIC ACID INSIDE/OUT – What is Hyaluronic Acid?

What is Hyaluronic Acid?

This should be your first question before you give in to the temptation to know exactly what it can do for you! Hyaluronic acid is also known by names like hyaluronan or hyaluronate or simply HA. It has a negative charge and is a non- sulphated carbohydrate or rather glycosaminoglycan. It is found in most living organisms and in humans is found in higher concentrations in the connective tissues in the joints, around the eyes and epithelial layer in the skin. The basic structure of this component would be the simple sugars D-glucoronic acid and D-acetyleglucosamine held together by glycosidic bonds. It is a stable component because of its structural bulk that comes from the basic structural sugars and their bonds with each other. Which is why it is able to maintain the structure of the eyeball for example. Hyaluronan’s most significant contribution would be towards cell proliferation and migration. The person who has the claim to being the first to determine the presence and properties of hyaluronic acid would be Endre Balazs in 1942. He discovered it by accident really when he applied for a patent to use it as a substitute to egg white because of its similar consistency. Hyaluronic acid has come a long way since then but it started thanks to this man. He did go on to become an expert on hyaluronic acid and discovered many of the benefits of hyaluronic acid. So kudos to him! It was believed that bakers had smooth hands from working with hyaluronic acid!

In our body, an average person would have about 15 grams of hyaluronan and about a third of this is lost and regenerated every day. But this regeneration process slows down as one loses the battle against aging. But even when fighting a losing battle, one does not have to go down without a fight. And there has not been a more resilient species than the human species. That is why years of research has resulted in coming up with hyaluronic acid-based products which can help give our bodies natural reserve a boost.

Before you start imagining that some poor souls in third world countries are being forced to sell their hyaluronic acid for this, rest assured that there are other sources of this miracle substance! Hyaluronan can be synthesized by any vertebrate that has membrane proteins known as hyaluronan syntheses types HAS1, HAS2 and HAS3. So hyaluronic acid can be obtained from a number of vertebrates with these proteins. So far, roosters have been a favourite source. But it has been found through research it can also be obtained from bacterial sources so instead of killing roosters and gaining the wrath of animal activists, Bacillus subtilis, a form of bacteria can be genetically modified to give sufficient hyaluronan that is compatible for use in humans.

Hyaluronic acid also has a high affinity for binding with water, thus giving rise to a highly aqueous, jelly like consistency. It is this property that gives it an important role within connective joints, as it provides a cushioning effect to take the abuse of day-to-day movements! Research has found that besides the affinity for binding substrates, the main deciding factor on the functions would be the molecular weight. The heavier weight molecules are found maintaining structural integrity and, in the joints, to provide cushioning effects. The smaller (lower) weight molecules also have an important role to play in wound healing. So, the bottom line is that even though the skin care industry has given star status to this wonder substance, it already had humble beginnings in among the medical fraternity. Now that a quick look has been taken at the anatomy, physiology and biochemistry of hyaluronic acid, it is time to take a detailed look at the various uses and benefits.