AGING OF THE VASCULAR WALL - SERUM CONCENTRATION OF ELASTIN PEPTIDES AND ELASTASE INHIBITORS IN RELATION TO CARDIOVASCULAR RISK-FACTORS - THE EVA STUDY

The relations of biological markers of extracellular matrix (plasma el astin peptides and elastase inhibitors) to the clinical history of car diovascular diseases and risk factors for atherosclerosis were examine d in a large population study (the EVA Study) on vascular and cognitiv e aging performed in 1389 men and women aged 59-71 years. A moderate d ecrease in elastin peptides was observed in women with a self-reported history of coronary heart disease (P < 0.091) and stroke (P < 0.03) a s well as with diabetes (P < 0.043). Similar but non-significant trend s were found in men. Furthermore, elastin peptides were significantly and positively correlated to HDL-cholesterol and apolipoprotein Al in both sexes. On the other hand, elastase inhibitor titers were signific antly higher in women than in men, A moderate increase was also found in men (P < 0.097) and women (P < 0.068) with a history of coronary he art disease that reached significance level after pooling both sexes ( P < 0.014). Furthermore, elastase inhibitor titers were significantly and positively related to fibrinogen and C reactive protein in either sex. No consistent associations were observed between both biological markers of extracellular matrix and age, blood pressure, body mass ind ex and tobacco or alcohol consumption. These results suggest that a de crease in elastin peptides and an increase in elastase inhibitors migh t be associated with risk factors of atherogenesis as well as with ath erosclerosis-related diseases. (C) 1997 Elsevier Ireland Science Ltd.