Human aortic acid mucopolysaccharides and glycoproteins

Acid mucopolysaccharides (MPS) and glycoproteins from the intima and the media of 26 Japanese thoracic aortas were studied with emphasis on ageing and atherosclerosis.

Total acid MPS significantly increased with age in the intima and slightly in the media; they decreased in both layers in the presence of atherosclerosis. Cellulose acetate electrophoresis was used to separate acid MPS into three fractions for analysis, namely hyaluronic acid, heparitin sulphate and chondroitin sulphates B and/or C. Changes in the compositional pattern of acid MPS with ageing or atherosclerosis were inconclusive.

The total carbohydrate fraction of aortic intimai glycoproteins decreased until the age of 60 years, and increased thereafter, while the fraction from the media tended to increase progressively with age. The most conspicuous change in glycoprotein constituents in atherosclerosis was the marked fall in intimai sialic acid.

Galactose, mannose and f ucose were identified as integral components of vascular glycoproteins in all preparations examined. However, an additional chromatographic spot that corresponded to glucose was detected in 2 cases.