Urinary excretion of mucopolysaccharides in normal individuals and in the marfan syndrome

Abstract

A study of the urinary excretion of mucopolysaccharides indicates a normal excretion of approx. 5–10 mg/24 h of a mixture of compounds. Although the major compounds normally excreted are the chondroitin sulfates (A, B, C), evidence is presented for the excretion of chondroitin, heparitin sulfate, and keratosulfate. The excretion appears to be somewhat greater in males and is increased around puberty. In the Marfan syndrome there is a two- to four-fold greater excretion but this is qualitatively similar to that for normal individuals. The mucopolysaccharide excreted in urine represents a small fraction relative to the amount metabolized in the body's connective tissue.