Metabolism of glycosaminoglycans in atheromatous rats. Enzymes concerned with synthesis, degradation and sulphation of glycosaminoglycans.

Some important enzymes concerned with the biosynthesis of the precursors of glycosaminoglycans (gg), degradation of gg and biological sulphation have been studied in rats fed an atherogenic diet. L-Glutamine-D-fructose-6-phosphate amino-transferase and glucosamine-6-phosphate-N-acetylase--2 enzymes concerned with the biosynthesis of hexosamine precursors of gg--decreased in the liver in rats fed the atherogenic diet. UDPG pyrophosphorylase, UDPG dehydrogenase and UDPG glucuronic acid-5'-epimerase, which are concerned with the biosynthesis of the uronic precursors of gg, also decreased in the liver in the diet-fed rats. The activities of some of the enzymes concerned with degradation of gg-hyaluronidase, beta-glucuronidase beta-hexosaminidase, cathepsin and aryl sulphatase--increased both in the liver and aorta. The hepatic concentration of PAPS significantly decreased in the diet-fed rats. The sulphate-activating system, which includes ATP sulphurylase, APS kinase and sulphotransferase, also decreased. Thus the overall picture is one of decreased synthesis of gg and their increased degradation in the atheromatous rats.