Abstract
Elastase (E), ELE-ES, 90U/mg, Eisai Co., was administered to experimentally induced hyperlipemic rabbits kept on 1% cholesterol (C) containing feed. A dose of 10mg/kg/day of E was administered i. p. to the hyperlipemic rabbits. Once increased serum lipids were not lowered in 2-4 weeks, but serum elastin decomposing and Suc(Ala)3 NA hydrolyzing activities were both increased. Elevated serum lipids then showed tendency to be lowered in 6-8 weeks after E administration, and serum C level was significantly lowered. Serum elastin decomposing and Suc(Ala)3 NA hydrolyzing activities were not altered at this period. Correlation between time-course change of these serum enzyme activities and amount of tissue lipids, elastin and other components of the connective tissue was then examined. C content in tissue increased after 10 weeks of the C loading, and C in the liver was significantly lowered by E administration. Hydroxyproline content in tissues increased after C loading, and significant lowering effect was induced by E in the lung where C content was significantly higher after the C loading. It might be considered that E improves significantly the metabolisms of lipids and the connective tissues in the hyperlipemic conditions.
