High-molar-mass hyaluronan degradation by Weissberger's system: Pro- and anti-oxidative effects of some thiol compounds

Pro- and anti-oxidative effects of two thiol compounds, d-penicillamine and reduced l-glutathione, on the kinetics of degradation of high-molar-mass hyaluronan samples were monitored via rotational viscometry. The degradation was induced under aerobic condition by the so-called Weissberger′s system [ascorbate plus Cu(II)]. Electron paramagnetic resonance spectroscopy was used to confirm the presence of free radicals generated during the biopolymer degradation. Infrared spectroscopy and non-isothermal chemiluminometry were used to characterize the biopolymers after processing.