Elastase-inhibitory activity of aortic glycosaminoglycans during cholesterol-induced atherosclerosis

Elastase-inhibitory activity of aortic glycosaminoglycans, measured in vitro, was found to be significantly reduced in rabbits fed a 2% cholesterol diet for 60, 90, and 120 days. The reduction, suggested to be due to alteration in the composition of aortic glycosaminoglycans, may be relevant to the process of atherogenesis.