Heparan Sulphate

What is heparan sulphate?

Heparan sulphate is a glycosaminoglycan that plays a central role in modulating skin repair (R). It interacts with many molecules including growth factors, chemokines, cytokines and enzymes, facilitates the assembly and structural integrity of many components of the extracellular matrix, and has a large number of regulatory functions that give it the potential to restore the homeostasis and health of aged skin (R).

Does heparan sulphate get absorbed?

Naturally occurring heparan sulphate is too large and too highly polar to penetrate the skin barrier (R). However, low molecular weight heparan sulphate has been shown to successfully penetrate to the epidermis and dermis within a single day when applied as a cream to human skin at 12 hour intervals (R).