Collagen, elastin and glycosaminoglycans in aortic aneurysms.

The walls of human abdominal aortas and atherosclerosis-induced aneurysms contain similar amounts of collagen. The quantitative ratio between collagens of various types of this protein does not differ significantly either, whereas solubility of the collagen in aneurysmal wall and its susceptibility to the action of EDTA are distinctly decreased. In contrast with collagen, the amount of elastin in aneurysms is significantly lower. Total amount of glycosaminoglycans slightly decreased as compared with that of normal tissue, but the ratio of particular compounds varies. The percentage of chondroitin sulphate is increased and that of heparan sulphate significantly decreased. The significance of these changes in pathogenesis of aneurysms is discussed.