ABSTRACT
372To inhibit reactive oxygen species-induced hyaluronan degradation, protective effects of glutathione, chitosan derivatives (phosphonate chitosan and sulfonated chitosan) individually and in a combination with glutathione were analyzed. A source of reactive oxygen species was cupric ions and ascorbate—the so-called Weissberger’s biogenic oxidative system (WBOS). Both phosphonate and sulfonated chitosan enhanced the degradation of hyaluronan by WBOS. On the other hand, glutathione itself or in the presence of the chitosan derivative reduced the rate of hyaluronan degradation.
The radical scavenging capacity of the analyzed substances was assessed also by the standard colorimetric ABTS assay; thereby their electron donor properties are determined. Both chitosan derivatives applied individually demonstrated a minimal scavenging capacity against ABTS’+. However, those capacities were significantly enhanced on combining each chitosan derivative with glutathione.
