N-acetyl-D-Glucosamine (GlcNAc) is a monosaccharide derivative of glucose with antitumor and anti-inflammatory activities[1]. N-acetyl-D-Glucosamine is the D-isomer of N-acetylglucosamine and a basic structural unit for many key macromolecules in organisms[2]. N-acetyl-D-Glucosamine is a bacterial metabolite found in Escherichia coli[3]. As a monomer of chitin, N-acetyl-D-Glucosamine provides structural support for arthropods and fungi[4].
In vitro, treatment of peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) with N-acetyl-D-Glucosamine (300μg/mL) for 48h or 96h induced cell proliferation, inhibited apoptosis, and increased the proportion of PBMCs expressing CD3-CD4, CD3-CD8, and CD3-CD56 antibodies[5].
In vivo, N-acetyl-D-Glucosamine (100, 300mg/kg) significantly inhibited tumor growth in Sarcoma 180 cell xenograft mice after oral treatment for 15 days and suppressed the expression of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) mRNA in tumor tissue[5]. N-acetyl-D-Glucosamine (400mg/kg) significantly promoted the healing of cartilage lesions in rabbits after oral treatment for 3 weeks, especially the recovery of trochlear groove lesions[6].
References:
[1] Wang B, Mao J, Ma Y, et al. Synthesis, O-GlcNAc Modification, and Potential Applications of N-Acetylglucosamine Derivatives[J]. Natural Product Communications, 2024, 19(11): 1934578X241298913.
[2] Konopka J B. N‐acetylglucosamine functions in cell signaling[J]. Scientifica, 2012, 2012(1): 489208.
[3] Riemann L, Azam F. Widespread N-acetyl-D-glucosamine uptake among pelagic marine bacteria and its ecological implications[J]. Applied and environmental microbiology, 2002, 68(11): 5554-5562.
[4] Ahmedd S. Polysaccharides: Chitin and Chitosan[J]. Chitin and Chitosan: Physical and Chemical Properties, 2025, 1.
[5] Xu W, Jiang C, Kong X, et al. Chitooligosaccharides and N-acetyl-D-glucosamine stimulate peripheral blood mononuclear cell-mediated antitumor immune responses[J]. Molecular Medicine Reports, 2012, 6(2): 385-390.
[6] Tamai Y, Miyatake K, Okamoto Y, et al. Enhanced healing of cartilaginous injuries by N-acetyl-d-glucosamine and glucuronic acid[J]. Carbohydrate Polymers, 2003, 54(2): 251-262.
N-acetyl-D-Glucosamine（GlcNAc）是葡萄糖的单糖衍生物，具有抗肿瘤和抗炎活性[1]。N-acetyl-D-Glucosamine是N-乙酰基葡萄糖胺的D异构体，是生物体内许多关键大分子的基本结构单元[2]。N-acetyl-D-Glucosamine是细菌的代谢物，发现于Escherichia coli[3]。N-acetyl-D-Glucosamine作为几丁质的单体，为节肢动物和真菌提供结构支持[4]。
在体外，N-acetyl-D-Glucosamine（300μg/mL）处理外周血单核细胞（PBMCs）48h或96h，诱导了细胞增殖，抑制了细胞凋亡，增加了表达CD3-CD4、CD3-CD8 和CD3-CD56抗体的PBMC比例[5]。
在体内，N-acetyl-D-Glucosamine（100, 300mg/kg）通过口服治疗Sarcoma 180细胞异种移植小鼠15天，显著抑制了小鼠体内肿瘤的生长，抑制了肿瘤组织中血管内皮生长因子（VEGF）mRNA的表达[5]。N-acetyl-D-Glucosamine（400mg/kg）通过口服治疗软骨损伤兔子3周，显著促进了兔子的软骨损伤愈合，特别是滑车沟损伤的恢复非常显著[6]。