Health Dictionary
Reliable, easy-to-read patient information on common medical conditions — written in plain language, free of jargon, and grounded in current evidence. Browse the most frequent diagnoses, understand what they mean for everyday life, and learn which steps and questions help you have a focused conversation with your doctor.
Dermatan
Introduction
Overview
Overview
Dermatan sulfate is a glycosaminoglycan (formerly called a mucopolysaccharide) found mostly in skin, but also in blood vessels, heart valves, tendons, and lungs.
It is also referred to as chondroitin sulfate B, [1] although it is no longer classified as a form of chondroitin sulfate by most sources.
Function
Function
Dermatan sulfate may have roles in coagulation, cardiovascular disease, carcinogenesis, infection, wound repair, and fibrosis.
Pathology
Pathology
Dermatan sulfate accumulates abnormally in several of the mucopolysaccharidosis disorders.
An excess of Dermatan Sulfate in the Mitral Valve is characteristic of myxomatous degeneration of the leaflets leading to redundancy of valve tissue and ultimately, Mitral Valve Prolapse (into the Left Ventricle) and insufficiency. This chronic prolapse occurs mainly in women over the age of 60, and can predispose the patient to mitral annular calcification and eccentric (volume dependent or dilated) hypertrophy and eventually Left Heart failure if untreated. Also used to treat sun burns.
External Links
External Links
- B01AX04 (WHO)
- Dermatan+sulfate at the US National Library of Medicine Medical Subject Headings (MeSH)
References
References
Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]