Abdominal aortic aneurysms are associated with altered matrix proteins of the nonaneurysmal aortic segments

B. Timothy Baxter, Valerie A. Davis, David J. Minion, Yi Ping Wang, Thomas G. Lynch, Bruce M. McManus

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

113 Scopus citations

Abstract

Purpose: Abdominal aortic aneurysms (AAA) are associated with diffuse arteriomegaly and peripheral aneurysms, suggesting a generalized process. Elastin and collagen are the key structural proteins of the aorta, and their relative content is markedly altered in tissue from AAA. Our purpose was to investigate elastin and collagen content in the proximal, nonaneurysmal segments of aortas with infrarenal AAA. Methods: After extraction of lipid, calcium, and soluble proteins, hydroxyproline (collagen) and desmosine-isodesmosine (elastin) contents were determined by high-performance liquid chromatography in the ascending and descending thoracic, supraceliac, and suprarenal aorta. By repeated measures of analysis of covariance, collagen was found to be increased throughout the aorta in AAA as compared with normal aorta or aorta with atherosclerotic occlusive disease. This difference remained significant when adjustments were made for group differences in age and degree of atherosclerosis. This increase in collagen content results in a dilutional decrease in elastin concentration. These data demonstrate that the same matrix protein alterations found in AAA tissue occur throughout the aorta, differing only in magnitude in the aneurysmal and nonaneurysmal segments. These data suggest that aneurysm formation may relate to alterations in the regulation of elastin and collagen. (J VASC SURG 1994;19:797-803.)

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)797-803
Number of pages7
JournalJournal of Vascular Surgery
Volume19
Issue number5
DOIs
StatePublished - 1994

Bibliographical note

Funding Information:
Supported by a grant from the Veterans Administration Advisory Group to BTB.

Funding

Supported by a grant from the Veterans Administration Advisory Group to BTB.

FundersFunder number
U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs

    ASJC Scopus subject areas

    • Surgery
    • Cardiology and Cardiovascular Medicine

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