Role of Mucopolysaccharides in Pathogenesis of Experimental Exophthalmos.

Abstract
Exophthalmos was produced in thyroidectomized and intact guinea pigs by daily injections of 25-30 J-S units of TSH. Histologic examination of orbital tissues from exophthalmic animals revealed the accumulation in the connective tissues of large quantities of metachromatic ground substance, a large part of which is hyaluronic acid. Chemical studies showed significant increases in the water and hexosamine contents of the exophthalmic tissues. These changes are similar to those seen in localized myxedema in man.