Hyaluronic acid N-deacetylase assay in whole skin.

Hyaluronic acid (HA) N-deacetylase(s) was quantified in whole skin, using a novel method that involved reaction of skin with exogenous HA as substrate. Acetyl (CH(3)CO-) moieties generated were converted chemically to MeOAc and quantified using gas chromatography/mass spectrometry. HA (1.