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The methods for preparing acid and neutral Na+, K+, Ca2+ and Mg2+ salts of individual heparin fractions were devised. One of the fractions contains 3 (HP = 3) and another 4 (HP = 4) sulfate groups per dimer of the macromolecule of both the polymers. Infrared spectra of the salts were obtained. It was shown that acid salts of HP = 3 (with the exception of Mg2+ salt) and HP = 4 form intermolecular hydrogen bonds. The structure of the infrared spectra of HP = 3 and HP = 4 salts depends, to a significant degree, on the cation nature.

Infrared spectra of protein-chondroitin-keratan sulfate (PCKS) and proteoglycans aggregates (PA) isolated from trachea cartilage of cattle have been examined. Proteoglycans have been shown to be completely detectable in this tissue by infrared spectroscopy. This method can be applied for determining the degree of PCKS and PA extraction from the cartilage.

IR spectra of high-purified potassium salts of hyaluronic acid (HA), non-aggregation fraction of protein-chondroitin-keratan sulfate (PChKS) and heparin fractions containing 3 (H-3) and 4 (H-4) residues of sulfuric acid per dimer of polymer have been measured. An absorption band of 1150 cm-1 has been observed in the spectra of both HA and PChKS but has not been found in the spectra of H-3 and H-4. Observation of this band in the spectra of some heparin preparations indicates that they contain the admixtures of HA, PChKS and other proteoglycans. A previously suggested method for isolation of heparin fractions H-3 and H-4 makes it possible to obtain preparations that do not contain the admixtures of other proteoglycans.

The infrared spectra of hyaluronic acid (HA), protein chondroitin keratan sulfate (PCKS), aggregates of proteoglycans (AP), glucuronic acid and its potassium salt, glucosamine, galactosamine (both as hydrochlorides), N-acetyl-glucosamine, N-acetyl-galactosamine, ammonium salt of N-acetyl-neuraminic acid were obtained in the region 200--4000 cm-1. It was shown that comparative analysis of the spectra of the monomers and their mixtures with those of HA, PCKS and AP makes it possible to identify more precisely a greater number of absorption bands as compared to that identifiable on examining but the spectra of these biopolymers. The interpretation of the results obtained is presented.

Mineral distribution has been studied in osteoni and intermediate spaces of the compact substance in fibular and occipital human bones. The material has been taken from 34 corpses. Total mineral content was estimated by the contact microroentgenography technique. Calcium, phosphorus and magnium content and distribution were studied by means of X-ray spectral microanalysis. The results obtained characterized bone morphological structure depending on the degree of their miniralization. Peculiarities in calcium and phosphorus distribution along radius osteoni were studied. Quantitative data were obtained on their content in the bone morphological structures. In spite of uneven distribution of some elements in the bone samples, constant molar Ca/P ratio was noted.

In microanalysis of mineralized tissues an x-ray spectral method possessed an absolute limit of sensitivity about 5-10 minus 15 g. A relative limit of the method sensitivity constituted hundredth parts of a per cent and locality of the analysis--several cubic microns. The x-ray spectral microanalysis permitted to carry out qualitative and quantitative estimations of content of elements in different structures of biological tissues. The data were obtained on content of calcium and phosphorus in compact part of human tubular bone.

The authors have devised the methods for preparing free hyaluronic acid (HA) and non-aggregating fraction of protein-chondroitin-keratan sulfate (PCKS), as well as those for preparing their Na+, K+, Ca2+ and Mg2+ salts (acid and neutral). Infrared spectroscopy has demonstrated the presence of intermolecular hydrogen bonds, formed by hydroxyl groups, in HA and PCKS macrocomplexes and in PCKS acid salts. HA salts appeared not to form macrocomplexes at the expense of intermolecular hydrogen bonds.