Three inositol-containing sialyloligosaccharides were isolated from normal human urine. Structural studies including gas—liquid chromatography of mono- and disaccharide derivatives, methylation analysis, mass spectrometry and glycosidase treatments indicated the structure NeuAc (α2–3)Gal(β1-0)scyllo-inositol for one of the oligosaccharides isolated. This provides the first evidence for the natural occurrence of a scyllo-inositol glycoside in biological material. The two other oligosaccharides isolated were identified as two isomers of NeuAc(α2–3)Gal(β1-0)myo-inositol, which have not been identified in normal urine before.
