Age-related changes in proteoglycans of human ligamentum flavum

Age-internal changes in proteoglycans of human ligamentum flavum were studied using specimens obtained from patients divided into four age groups. The proteoglycans were purified by ion-exchange and gel-filtration chromatography. A low-molecular-weight proteoglycan with the same molecular size was present in all eache age groups. Conversely, high-molecular-weight proteoglycan increased with advancing age. Properties of the sugar chains, glycosaminoglycans, in thesse membrane electrophoresis and chondroitinase digestion