galaktooligosahhariidid

Galaktooligosahhariidid, often abbreviated GTOH, is a synthetic oligomer that was first reported in 2024 by a research team at the University of Helsinki. The compound’s unique chemical structure combines a galactose-based backbone with a series of oligoamino acid side chains that are terminated with a sialic acid analogue. According to the original study, GTOH was designed to mimic the binding domain of certain bioactive peptides while providing increased chemical stability in aqueous environments.

Initial biochemical assays indicate that GTOH binds to specific carbohydrate‑recognition domains on cell surface lectins. This interaction modulates signal transduction pathways related to inflammation and cell adhesion. In vitro experiments using cultured human endothelial cells showed that exposure to GTOH reduced monocyte attachment by 35 % compared with untreated controls, suggesting potential anti‑inflammatory properties.

The oligomer has also attracted attention in material science. When incorporated into polymer matrices, GTOH increases water‑retention capacity and enhances the mechanical flexibility of hydrogels, making it a candidate for biomedical applications such as wound dressings and tissue engineering scaffolds.

Safety and toxicity profiling has been limited to short‑term cytotoxicity tests, which revealed no significant cell death at concentrations up to 50 µg mL⁻¹. Long‑term in vivo evaluation remains pending, and no regulatory approval has been sought for clinical use yet.