Abstract
As previously described in report 1, metachromatic substance was found in different degrees in artery and vein walls. The changes in metachromatic substance (quantitative and qualitative) were studied by electrophoresis on filter paper. The acid polysaccharide fractions were extracted from the blood vessel wall by alkali treatment or enzyme treatment, and showed red metachromasia on toluidine blue staining at the site corresponding with the position of "hi" acid and "cho" sulfate samples on electrophoresis, the elution of each spot showed a positive glucosamine reaction, and was negative to B. P. B. and ninhydrin reactions. For these reasons, it is probable that these spots consist of "hi" acid and "cho" sulfate. The "cho" sulfate fraction was hydrolysed by chondromucinase, but the "hi" acid fraction was not hydrolysed. The "cho" sulfate fraction and the "hi" acid fraction were hydrolysed by hyaluronidase. Thus, it is probable that the "cho" sulfate fraction contains chiefly "cho" sulfate, and the "hi" acid fraction contains chiefly "hi" acid. Arteries and veins contain a small amount of the "hi" acid fraction and a large amount of the "cho" sulfate fraction.
