Abstract
It is generally accepted that elastase is important to elastin metabolism in arterial walls, but there are few reports of serum elastase level in arteriosclerosis. We investigated relations between serum pancreatic enzymes including elastase I and lipids as a risk factor of arteriosclerosis. Elastase I was correlated well with the atherogenic index (AI) calculated from total and HDL-cholesterol values, and there was slight negative-correlation between HDL-cholesterol and serum pancreatic amylase or lipase. In the high risk group for arteriosclerosis (AI 3), or the aged (above 65 years) group, serum pancreatic enzymes including elastase I were slightly, but not significantly high. Study of distribution of elastase I with age showed that serum elastase I levels gradually increase with age above 40 years. The results suggest that serum pancreatic enzyme levels, especially elastase I, may reflect arteriosclerotic changes in kidney and pancreas, so we must pay attention to age and degree of arteriosclerosis when we assess the serum elastase I level.
