hyaluronic, a. Biochem.
(ˌhaɪəljʊˈrɒnɪk)
[f. hyaloid a. (from its first being isolated from the hyaloid or vitreous humour of the eye) + uronic a.]
hyaluronic acid: a viscous mucopolysaccharide composed of acetylglucosamine and glucuronic acid units, widely found in animal tissues (e.g. in synovial fluid, in the ground-substance of connective tissue, and in the vitreous humour of the eye) as well as in bacterial capsules.
| 1934 Meyer & Palmer in Jrnl. Biol. Chem. CVII. 631 Data on the preparations of this acid for which we propose..the name ‘hyaluronic acid’, from hyaloid (vitreous) + uronic acid. 1957 Sci. News XLV. 85 In vivo, hyaluronic acid has the important function of offering resistance to penetration by foreign matter, including agents of infectious disease. 1969 New Scientist 24 Apr. 167/2 Dr W. C. McCutchen..was adamant that if the hyaluronic acid is removed from synovial fluid, it still lubricates efficiently. |
Hence hyaˈluronate, a salt of hyaluronic acid.
| 1946 Biochem. Jrnl. XL. 583 (heading) The influence of hydrolysates of hyaluronate upon hyaluronidase production by micro-organisms. 1970 R. W. McGilvery Biochem. xxiv. 585 Solutions of hyaluronate have a high viscosity, and it is especially concentrated in the synovial fluid of the joints. |