Elastase-type activity, elastase inhibitory capacity, lipids and lipoproteins in the sera of patients with ischemic vascular disease.

Elastase-type activity and elastase inhibitory capacity were determined in the sera of 130 atherosclerotic patients, suffering from ischemic vascular disease (IVD) localized at various sites, and of 60 control subjects. The concentrations of serum lipoprotein constituents (triglycerides, total cholesterol, HDL cholesterol, apo-A, apo-B) have also been investigated. HDL cholesterol and apo-A levels were decreased at every site on IVD. Plasma HDL concentration in men was lower than that in women. There was a sex-related difference in the elastase-type activity of the sera: within every atherosclerotic group, elastase-type activity in women was significantly higher than in men. Elastase-type activity did not appear to vary with age and did not show any correlation with the concentration of serum lipoprotein constituents. Pancreatic elastase inhibitory capacity of sera was significantly elevated in the sera of atherosclerotic patients. There was a significant negative correlation between the inhibitory capacity and the HDL cholesterol and apo-A content of sera, respectively. Inhibitory capacity did not show sex-, or age-related variation. There was a significant positive correlation between elastase-type activity and elastase inhibitory capacity measured in control sera. In the sera of atherosclerotic patients this correlation could not be established.