[Enzyme utilization of lipid peroxides in arteriosclerotic human aorta]

Activities of glutathione-S-transferase and glutathione peroxidase have been studied in the intima and media of the human aorta with different degree of atherosclerotic injury. Pieces of the thoracic part of the aorta were taken 1-6 h after death from those who died due to cardiovascular system diseases. Activity of glutathione-S-transferase was shown to be lowered in the samples of intima and media from lipid-fibrous plaques in comparison with non-damaged intima and media. In view of significant role of glutathione-S-transferase in lipoperoxides detoxication a possible consequence of this loss enzyme capacities may be an accumulation of lipoperoxides in expressed atherosclerotic affections of vessel wall.