Differences in sulfated glycosaminoglycans composition of the gastrointestinal mucosa.

Sulfated glycosaminoglycan (SGAG) composition of normal mucosa of esophagus, gastric body, antrum, duodenum, jejunum and rectum is reported. Each region examined may be defined by specific sulfated glycosaminoglycan distributions showing variations in relative proportions and total amount of heparan sulfate, dermatan sulfate and chondroitin 4, 6-sulfate. The results are discussed in the light of a recent proposal regarding the role of these compounds in cell-cell recognition and stimulation of cell division. The methodology made it possible to detect sulfated glycosaminoglycans from small amounts of tissue obtained by endoscopic biopsies.