Othmar Gabriel

ISOLATION AND CHARACTERIZATION OF CARBOHYDRATE-PROTEIN COMPLEXES FROM HUMAN SWEAT

Very little information about the presence of macromolecules in sweat is available a t the present time. Jirka and Kotasl interpret their findings using polarography as proof for the presence of proteins in human sweat. In addition, direct Ehrlich-positive substances before hydrolysis and increased values after hydrolysis were shown by them to be present and expressed as glucosamine. However, no data on the chemical identification of the compounds analyzed are presented. Histochemical evidence for periodic acid-Schiff-positive as well as metachromatic substances in the secretory coils and ducts of the human eccrine sweat glands have been demonstrated by many authors.2~~ Recently a paper by Munger, Brusilow, and Cooke4 presents an electron microscopic study of eccrine sweat glands in patients with cystic fibrosis. On the basis of their histochemical findings, these authors suggest that eccrine sweat glands secrete acidic mucopolysaccharides. A widespread defect in mucus secretions throughout the body leading to obstruction of the pancreatic ducts, biliary ductules, bronchi, and other structures might explain many of the symptoms of the generalized disease, cystic fibrosis of the pan~reas .~ In view of the known marked difference in the electrolyte composition of eccrine sweat between patients with cystic fibrosis and almost all other patients in the pediatric age group,6 it was thought that a difference in glycoprotein composition might be present in this same secretion. Therefore we decided to investigate the composition of the carbohydratecontaining moiety of macromolecules secreted in human sweat and to try to find and elucidate any change in the composition of glycoproteins in patients with cystic fibrosis of the pancreas as compared to normal control subjects.