Hyaluronan

Hyaluronan is necessary for human life. It is present from the very beginning, being essential for such fundamental biological processes as ovulation and fertilization (Russell and Salustri 2006). Hyaluronan also appears to be necessary for many processes that occur during prenatal development (Spicer and Tien 2004). For example, high levels of hyaluronan synthesis are required for the development of many of our joints (Archer et al. 2003). Enzymes that make the precursors of hyaluronan are critical for normal development in other animals and are likely also necessary in humans (Vigetti et al. 2006). The evidence is therefore compelling that hyaluronan plays a key role in making us who we are!