n-acetyl-d-glucosamine

N-acetyl-D-glucosamine (GlcNAc) is a monosaccharide derivative of glucose found in bacterial cell walls, chitin, hyaluronic acids, and various glycans. It is synthesized in the glycosylation pathway as uridine diphosphate (UDP-GlcNAc). As a supplement, it is primarily used for osteoarthritis and inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), including ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease. It works by enhancing the proliferation and collagen expression of fibroblasts, reducing hyperpigmentation, and acting as a cytoprotective agent that restores the integrity and normal function of mucous membranes. N-acetyl-D-glucosamine also shows potential in treating multiple sclerosis by suppressing brain inflammation, promoting myelin repair, and slowing brain degeneration. It acts as an atypical microbial danger signal that activates the NLRP3 inflammasome by dissociating the enzyme hexokinase from mitochondria.

Other names

N-Acetyl-D-glucosamineN-Acetylchitosamine2-acetamido-2-deoxy-D-glucosealdehydo-N-acetyl-D-glucosamineD-GlcNAc2-acetamido-2-deoxy-D-glucopyranosebetaGlcNAcGlcNAc-beta