Elastin and collagen metabolism in the arterial wall of rats fed an atherogenic diet.

Experimental atherosclerosis in rats was produced by feeding them atherogenic diet for ten months. Elastin and collagen content of the arterial wall as well as some aspects of the metabolism of these proteins were studied. A decrease of elastin content was accompanied by its enhanced susceptibility of enzymatic hydrolysis in vitro. An increase of soluble collagen fractions in tissue and a simultaneously enhanced level of collagen catabolites in serum and urine were found. The present work deals with a disturbed elastin and collagen metabolism in experimental atherosclerosis and shows simultaneous participation of these compounds in pathogenesis of this disease.