Biological properties of pancreatic elastase in relation to atherosclerotic disease.

The inhibitory effect of elastase on experimental atherosclerosis has been reported in numerous studies. In our investigation, performed in the rat, a pancreatic extract provided with elastolytic activity has been shown to possess an anti-aggregative effect in vitro and ex vivo and anti-thrombotic properties. In addition, the elastase was capable of inhibiting endothelial exfoliation induced by the desquamatory agent sodium citrate. This agent was tested for its microhaemorrhoeological activity in acute and subacute experiments. In both these conditions, elastase was able to increase the flexibility of red blood cells and their resistance to lysis provoked by hypotonic solutions. In animals fed on an atherogenic diet, this substance limited the lipoprotein accumulation in the aorta wall. Moreover, it reduced the enhanced calcium content, induced by vitamin D administration, in the tissue of arteries. These data indicate that elastase can counteract some pathobiological aspects that characterize atherosclerotic events.