Hyaluronan
Hyaluronan (HA) is the largest polysaccharide in our body, and it is composed of repeating disaccharides and the repeating sequence is the same in all vertebrate tissues and fluids.
It belongs to the family of glycosaminoglycans (GAG), but unlike other GAGs, it is not sulfonated. It is ubiquitously present, and is the major glycosaminoglycan, in the extracellular matrix (ECM) especially in loose fascia, synovial fluid and eye chambers.
HA has a number of important physiological functions in our body and is critical for the slide and glide effects between muscle fibers and fascial sublayers. Therefore, it greatly affects our ability to move in balance and it helps maintain tissue homeostasis.
HA has a lot of important functions, hitherto discovered;
- shock absorber,
- space-filling agent between the collagen fibers,
- providing tissue turgor, tissue hydration,
- protective agent to prevent vascular compression,
- protective shield
- lubricating functions between fascial layers and muscles, bones and joints
- critical for regulating physiologic processes in healthy tissues
- crucial in inflammation, wound healing and repair, and even cancer progression, by activation of signal pathways by way of membrane receptors, triggering a cascade of signal transduction responses.
(Stern et al. 2006), (Stecco et al, 2011), (Cowman et al, 2015), (Temple-Wong et al. 2016).
As mentioned above, HA plays a key role in tissue hydration and lubrication of sliding and Langevin et al, have observed that a reduced gliding of thoracolumbar fascia occurs in patients with chronic low back pain. Stecco et al, have observed the same scenario in the neck fascia of patients affected by nonspecific neck pain. Their investigations suggests a key role for HA in the genesis of myofascial pain. (Langevin et al. 2011), (Stecco et al 2013, 2014).
HA molecular size can vary within a wide range, from a few kDa up to 8 MDa. The molecular size and concentration of HA, strongly influences its functions, when it affects the viscoelastic properties.
The physico-chemical properties of HA depend on its concentration, molecular weight, solvent ionic composition, temperature, type of binding to proteins and other macromolecules in the ground substance. (Cowman et al, 2015)
HA is synthesized by specialized fibroblast-like cells, located along the surface of each fascial sublayer, called fasciacytes (Stecco et al, 2011, 2018). It is just where they are needed, to permit fascial gliding between the fibrous layers. The turnover rate of HA is high, about 2 days, in contrast to other GAGs which have 7-10 days, then the fasciacytes has to be very active.
Fede et al, 2018, have quantified the content of hyaluronan in human fascia at different sites. They found a variation with function and anatomical site but no differences of sex and age, unlike HA content in the skin, where it decreases with age, causing it dryer.
Several cell receptors can interact with HA, triggering a cascade of signal transduction responses. The control of the HA synthesis is therefore critical in ECM. HA is simultaneously synthesized at the plasma membrane by three synthetase enzymes, HA synthetases (HAS1-3), and degraded by hyaluronidases (HYAL) and other molecules, such as reactive oxygen (Triggs-Raine & Natowicz, 2015).
- By Camilla Ranje Nordin, Teacher in Fascia & Fascia Treatment
Fascia Anatomy & Physiology
Fascia and The Living Body
“Fascia and the Living Body” is a document about the scientific understanding of the body as a living whole.
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The body consists of cells and the matrix outside, between the cells, the extracellular matrix (ECM). Fascia is the ECM and the cells maintaining the ECM. In this article the components of the Fascia are listed and explained.
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Guimberteau
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What is fascia – in detail
Our entire body, all tissues, consists of cells and the substance that exists outside, around the cells, that is the extracellular matrix. With these explanations of fascia you understand how important it is to see the body as a whole and not part by part.
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Recent research in recent years shows that Fascia has a much greater significance for health, aches, and pain than previously believed.
Extracellular Matrix (ECM)
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Hyaluronan
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How do we learn to understand Fascia?
Fascia is a new perspective, a completely new way of looking at the body, a new way of conducting research and a new way of understanding the world. So how do you learn to understand Fascia?
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Frequently Asked Questions about Fascia
On the Fascia Guide FAQ we have gathered the most common questions and answers about Fascia. Is there anything you would like to know? Visit the page and submit your question.
Are my problems related to Fascia?
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The new discoveries and knowledge about Fascia has taken us back to an observing stage – we have to investigate our surroundings to get an understanding for what to measure.
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Stretching the fascia is vital when recovering from injury
David Lesondak describes how stretching the fascia is vital for rehabilitation from injury at the 2018 Fascia Research Congress in Berlin
Training for strengthened Fascia
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Recently, a German researcher showed that the connective tissue in a human transports 15 l of water in 48 hours, which is a relatively large amount compared to for example the amount of blood and the lymphatic system.
Fascia helps us understand the body as a whole
Look at a ballet dancer, a gymnast or a drummer and study their movement, feeling, timing, it is easy to be fascinated by how fast it is. Fascia helps us understand how the body is able to function in such an incredible way.
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Exclusive interview with Gil Headly explaining how Fascia changes the perspective on how we look at the body at the 2015 Fascia Research Congress in Washington DC.
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Fascia Research Database
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Is fascia affected by sex hormones?
Banbrytande ny forskning visar hur kollagenproduktionen över hela kroppen påverkas av könshormoner, som t ex östrogen. Läs mer här
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Fascia and The Living Body
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Therefore, the researchers believe that the nervous system resides in Fascia
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The Fascia Guide Method
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Can you heal osteoarthritis?
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Why do so many female football players suffer from cruciate ligament injuries?
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Growing interest in Fascia treatment: “Fascia problems are often under diagnosed”
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