Dermatan Sulfate (DS)

Dermatan sulfate is a glycosaminoglycan found mostly in skin, but also in blood vessels, heart valves, tendons, and lungs.It is also referred to as chondroitin sulfate B, although it is no longer classified as a form of chondroitin sulfate by most sources.Dermatan sulfate may have roles in coagulation, cardiovascular disease, carcinogenesis, infection, wound repair, and fibrosis. Dermatan sulfate accumulates abnormally in several of the mucopolysaccharidosis disorders.An excess of Dermatan Sulfate in the Mitral Valve is characteristic of myxomatous degeneration of the leaflets leading to redundancy of valve tissue and ultimately, Mitral Valve Prolapse and insufficiency. This chronic prolapse occurs mainly in women over the age of 60, and can predispose the patient to mitral annular calcification. Mitral valve insufficiency can lead to eccentric hypertrophy and eventually Left Heart failure if untreated.