chondroitin-sulfates and Meningioma

Two meningiomas were investigated that consisted largely of myxoid tissue. Staining with Alcian blue and incubation with staphylococcal, Streptomyces or testicular hyaluronidase revealed that the matrix of the myxoid tissue contained hyaluronic acid and chondroitin sulphate. Special fixation was used for ultrastructural preservation of the myxoid matrix, and its ultrastructural appearance was that of these glycosaminoglycans. The previous appellations of microcystic or vacuolated meningioma applied to this type of meningioma relate apparently to poor preservation of myxoid tissue.

Topics: Adult; Aged; Chondroitin Sulfates; Female; Glycogen; Humans; Hyaluronic Acid; Male; Meningeal Neoplasms; Meningioma; Microscopy, Electron

Topics: Brain Neoplasms; Chondroitin Sulfates; Dermatan Sulfate; Electrophoresis; Ependymoma; Glioma; Glycosaminoglycans; Humans; Hyaluronic Acid; Meningeal Neoplasms; Meningioma

Specimens of different intracranial tumors as well as samples of normal brain have been studied for calcium, magnesium, phosphorus, phospholipids and glycosaminoglycans contents. Tumor tissue showed calcium and magnesium concentrations higher than normal tissue. Brain tumors exhibit a decreased phospholipid concentration than normal brain, and its ability to complex divalent cations (specially magnesium) appears impaired. The glycosaminoglycans contents show no correlation with the concentration of calcium but in cases of observable calcification (meningiomas) a preponderance of chondroitin sulfate was observed.

Topics: Binding Sites; Brain Neoplasms; Calcinosis; Calcium; Chondroitin Sulfates; Glycosaminoglycans; Humans; Magnesium; Meningioma; Phospholipids; Phosphorus