Difference Between Collagen and Hyaluronic Acid

Difference Between Collagen and Hyaluronic Acid || Collagen and hyaluronic acid are organic substances found in the human body. Each has different properties, functions, and benefits, but both are related to the skin and can help maintain the appearance of young and healthy skin.

Definition of Collagen

Collagen is the main protein in human connective tissue. Its name comes from the Greek words “kola”, which means glue, and the suffix “gene”, which denotes production.

In nature, collagen is found mainly in mammals, and exclusively in animals. It represents 30% of human protein. Its concentration varies in different parts of the body and is 23% in the skull bone, 50% in the cartilage, up to 75% in the skin, etc.

Collagen consists of long spiral peptide chains. Each chain contains between 19 and 105 amino acids. It is insoluble and cannot be absorbed or digested. Its molecular mass is about 300 – 400 kDa.

Collagen is constantly produced in the body. However, after the age of 30, this process becomes difficult and weakens over the years.

Collagen is involved in the function of most systems, tissues, and organs in the human body. It is responsible for firmness, proper moisture, elasticity and constant renewal of skin cells. It is the main component of cartilage and joints, teeth and bones. Collagen plays an important role in the development of tissue in blood vessels and is essential for muscle function.

Collagen uses include:

bone graft;
tissue regeneration;
Operation urn B
cosmetic surgery;
Injury cure;
Use of reconstructive surgery;
Slows down skin aging;
Strengthen nails and hair, etc.

Definition of Hyaluronic Acid

Hyaluronic acid is an insoluble linear polymer – mucopolysaccharide. It is one of the most common mucopolysaccharides in nature and is synthesized by all living organisms except algae.

Hyaluronic acid has been isolated for the first time in calf eye fluid. Its name comes from the Greek word “hyalos”, which means glass.

A person weighing 70 kg has about 15 g of hyaluronic acid in the body. Hyaluronic acid is an intracellular substance in mammals and can be found in a variety of human organs and tissues – skin, heart valves, vitreous, synovial fluid, connective tissue, epithelium, and nervous tissue. More than 50% of it is contained in the skin.

Hyaluronic acid is a long, linear, insoluble biopolymer, composed of repeating disaccharide units of D-glucuronic acid and N-acetyl-glucosamine, linked by glycosidic bonds. Hyaluronic acid chains can contain 25,000 repeating disaccharides. The molecular mass is between 5 000 and 20 000 000 Da. The average molecular mass in human synovial fluid is 3,000,000 – 4,000,000 Da.

In the human body, hyaluronic acid is synthesized by proteins located in the plasma membrane of fibroblast cells. They expand the hyaluronic molecule by adding saccharides to the polymer. Hyaluronic degeneration is carried out by enzymes called hyaluronidases.

Hyaluronic acid is responsible for skin smoothness due to its ability to bind to a large number of water molecules. It is capable of binding water in the amount of 1000 to 4000 times its own weight.

Hyaluronic acid in the dermis is associated with tissue repair. It is the main building block of the vitreous fluid of the human eye. It is an important structural component of articular cartilage, where it is presented as a sheath around each chondrocyte and a major part of the synovial fluid, where it acts as a lubricant, metabolic mediator, and filter.

Hyaluronic acid in different concentrations and under different trade names is used in:

Eye surgery;
Neurosurgery;
Orthopedics and traumatology;
Skin care, etc.

Difference Between Collagen and Hyaluronic Acid

Definition
Collagen: Collagen is the main protein in human connective tissue.
Hyaluronic acid: Hyaluronic acid is a linear insoluble polymer – mucopolysaccharide.

Origin of name
Collagen: The name collagen comes from the Greek words “kola”, which means glue, and the suffix “-gene”, which denotes production.
Hyaluronic acid: This name comes from the Greek word “hyalos”, which means glass.

Happens in nature
Collagen: In nature, collagen is found mainly in mammals, exclusively in animals.
Hyaluronic acid: Hyaluronic acid is synthesized by all living organisms except algae.

Occurs in the human body
Collagen: Collagen represents 30% of human protein. Its concentration varies in different parts of the human body and is 23% in the skull bone, 50% in the cartilage, up to 75% in the skin, etc.
Hyaluronic acid: A 70 kg person has about 15 g of hyaluronic acid in the body. More than 50% of it is contained in the skin.

Chemical structure
Collagen: Collagen consists of long spiral peptide chains. Each chain contains between 19 and 105 amino acids.
Hyaluronic acid: Hyaluronic acid is a long, linear, insoluble biopolymer, composed of repeating disaccharide units of D-glucuronic acid and N-acetyl-glucosamine, linked by glycosidic bonds.

Molecular mass
Collagen: 300,000 – 400,000 Da
Hyaluronic acid: 5 000 to 20 000 000 Da

Synthesis in the human body
Collagen: Collagen is continuously produced in the body, after the age of 30 this process weakens over the years.
Hyaluronic acid: In the human body, hyaluronic acid is synthesized by proteins located in the plasma membrane of fibroblast cells.

Function
Collagen: Collagen is responsible for firmness, proper moisture, elasticity and constant renewal of skin cells. It is a major component of cartilage and joints, teeth and bones, vital for muscle function and the structure of blood vessels.
Hyaluronic acid: Hyaluronic acid is responsible for skin smoothness and is associated with skin repair. It is the main building block of the vitreous fluid of the human eye, an important structural component of articular cartilage, and a major part of the synovial fluid.

Use
Collagen: The uses of collagen include bone grafting, tissue regeneration, burn surgery, cosmetic surgery, wound care, use of reconstructive surgery, slowing skin aging, strengthening nails and hair, etc.
Hyaluronic acid: Hyaluronic acid with different concentrations and under different trade names is used in eye surgery, neurosurgery, orthopedics and traumatology, skin care, etc.