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Changes in extracellular matrix glycosaminoglycans during the wound repair allowed us to apply the burn model in which therapeutic efficacy of propolis and silver sulfadiazine was compared. Burns were inflicted on four pigs. Glycosaminoglycans isolated from healthy and burned skin were quantified using a hexuronic acid assay, electrophoretic fractionation, and densitometric analyses. Using the reverse-phase HPLC the profile of sulfated disaccharides released by chondroitinase ABC from chondroitin/dermatan sulfates was estimated. Chondroitin/dermatan sulfates and hyaluronic acid were found in all samples. Propolis stimulated significant changes in the content of particular glycosaminoglycan types during burn healing. Glycosaminoglycans alterations after silver sulfadiazine application were less expressed. Propolis maintained high contribution of 4-O-sulfated disaccharides to chondroitin/dermatan sulfates structure and low level of 6-O-sulfated ones throughout the observed period of healing. Propolis led to preservation of significant contribution of disulfated disaccharides especially 2,4-O-disulfated ones to chondroitin sulfates/dermatan sulfates structure throughout the observed period of healing. Our findings demonstrate that propolis accelerates the burned tissue repair by stimulation of the wound bed glycosaminoglycan accumulation needed for granulation, tissue growth, and wound closure. Moreover, propolis accelerates chondroitin/dermatan sulfates structure modification responsible for binding growth factors playing the crucial role in the tissue repair.

Background: The mechanisms which cause age-dependent remodeling of connective tissue are still not fully understood. Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) and tissue inhibitors of metalloproteinases (TIMPs) constitute an important proteolytic pathway affecting physiological matrix remodeling. Objective: The way in which changes in the extracellular matrix metabolism during the ageing process influence the level of circulating MMP-3 and MMP-10, as well as their tissue inhibitors TIMP-1 and TIMP-2, in a healthy population was investigated in this study. Methods: Blood samples were taken from 81 healthy individuals aged 6–62 years and measured for MMP-3, MMP-10, TIMP-1 and TIMP-2 levels using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays. Polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis followed by Western immunoblotting allowed for the detection of pro- and active forms of both MMPs. Results: Serum MMP-3 and TIMP-1 values were positively correlated with age (r = 0.44, p = 0.00001 and r = 0.28, p = 0.012, respectively). A contrary tendency was found for MMP-10 and TIMP-2 serum levels. A strong age-related decrease in MMP-10 (–0.53; p = 0.000) and TIMP-2 (–0.52; p = 0.000) was noticed in our study. Gender was a significant factor modifying MMP/TIMP potential, except for the MMP-10 level. Conclusions: The data presented indicate that changes in MMP/TIMP balance occur in physiological ageing. Moreover, these findings highlight the necessity of utilizing age- and sex-matched values for analysis of MMPs and TIMPs in the pathological conditions.

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The beneficial effects of propolis on experimental wounds make it a potential apitherapeutic agent in topical burn management.

Juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA) is a non-homogeneous autoimmune children's disease which, despite the applied therapy, has a progressive character with recurrences, leading to damage of joint structures. Progressive wearing of the joint cartilage in the course of JIA, which results from the imbalance between the biological strength of the cartilage, its function and exerted pressure forces, is linked to metabolic disorders of extracellular matrix (ECM) components. Among the latter compounds, the proteoglycan (PG) aggrecan plays a particular role in maintaining the mechanical-immunological properties of the cartilage. These functions are directly related to chains of glycosaminoglycans (GAGs), covalently linked to the core protein of PGs. Therefore, every change of GAGs metabolism linked to an increase of the rate of degradation or with a decrease of their biosynthesis may have pathological consequences. In this paper we aim to describe plausible mechanisms leading to observed disorders of aggrecan transformation in children, which are reflected in the profile of plasma GAGs. Therefore, we describe the plausible role of factors related to catabolism and synthesis of PGs/GAGs as well as the contribution of immunological processes to shaping the changes of extracellular matrix components in the course of JIA.

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Adipose tissue may play a complex role in the development of dcSSc, affecting both the metabolic state of the organism, as well as free radical-induced connective tissue degradation. Although, leptin seems to exert a pro-oxidative effect and both adiponectin and IGF-1 appear to prevent free radical damage, confirmation of the above effects requires further research.