acid-phosphatase and Arteriosclerosis

Topics: Acetylglucosaminidase; Acid Phosphatase; Animals; Arteries; Arteriosclerosis; Diabetes Mellitus; Endocytosis; Humans; Hypertension; Lipid Metabolism; Lysosomes; Rabbits

Topics: Acid Phosphatase; Aconitate Hydratase; Adenosine Triphosphatases; Age Factors; Animals; Aorta; Arteries; Arteriosclerosis; Chickens; Child; Citrate (si)-Synthase; Coronary Vessels; Enzymes; Esterases; Female; Fumarate Hydratase; Glutamate Dehydrogenase; Glycosaminoglycans; Humans; Hydrolysis; Isocitrate Dehydrogenase; Lipid Metabolism; Lipids; Lipoproteins; Malate Dehydrogenase; Male; Middle Aged; Nucleotidases; Oxygen Consumption; Pulmonary Artery; Sex Factors; Swine; Venae Cavae

The paper compares the effects of ozone therapy and conventional balneological methods on health condition of patients with obliterative atheromatosis and on serum activity of three lysosomal enzymes.. Sixty-four patients with lower limb ischaemia in the course of obliterative atheromatosis (without diabetes) were enrolled in the study. Thirty-two patients were treated with ozone administered by intravenous infusions and 30-minute aerosol oxygen-ozone baths. A comparative group was formed of 32 patients treated with traditional balneology. There was also a control group made up of 30 healthy subjects. Ozone therapy as well as traditional balneology were administered daily for the period of 10 days, excluding Saturdays and Sundays. Blood for biochemical analysis was collected from elbow vein in the following time intervals: 24 hours before ozone therapy or classical balneology, one hour after therapy and on the 10th day of treatment. The activity of cathepsin D, acid phosphatase and arylsulphatase as well as the levels of a-1-antitrypsin (protease inhibitor) were determined in blood serum of patients with obliterative atheromatosis.. In patients who received ozone therapy the activity of analysed lysosomal hydrolases returned to the values typical for healthy subjects. Patients' general condition also improved. The use of traditional balneological methods did not result in any significant change either in the activity of lysosomal hydrolases, the level of a-1-antitrypsin or general condition of patients.. Ozone therapy administered by intravenous infusions and aerosol oxygen-ozone baths of lower extremities yields much better therapeutic results in comparison with classical balneology.

Topics: Acid Phosphatase; Aged; alpha 1-Antitrypsin; Arteriosclerosis; Arylsulfatases; Cathepsin D; Female; Humans; Ischemia; Leg; Lysosomes; Male; Middle Aged; Ozone

-Retrospectively, plaque rupture is often colocalized with inflammation of the cap and shoulder of the atherosclerotic plaque. Local inflammation is therefore considered a potential marker for plaque vulnerability. However, high specificity of inflammation for plaque rupture is a requisite for application of inflammation markers to detect rupture-prone lesions. The objective of the present study was to investigate the prevalence and distribution (local versus general) of inflammatory cells in nonruptured atherosclerotic plaques. The cap and shoulder of the plaque were stained for the presence of macrophages and T lymphocytes in 282 and 262 cross sections obtained from 74 coronary and 50 femoral arteries, respectively. From most cases, 2 atherosclerotic arteries were studied to gain insight into the local and systemic distribution of the inflammatory process. In 45% and 41% of all cross sections, staining for macrophages was observed in the femoral and coronary arteries, respectively. Rupture of the fibrous cap was observed in 2 femoral and 3 coronary artery segments and was always colocalized with inflammatory cells. At least 1 cross section stained positively for CD68 or acid phosphatase in 84% and 71% of all femoral and coronary arteries, respectively. Only 1 femoral and 6 coronary arteries revealed a positive stain for CD68 in all investigated segments. Inflammation of the cap and shoulder of the plaque is a common feature, locally observed, in atherosclerotic femoral and coronary arteries. The high prevalence of local inflammatory responses should be considered if they are used as a diagnostic target to detect vulnerable, rupture-prone lesions.

Topics: Acid Phosphatase; Aged; Aged, 80 and over; Antigens, CD; Antigens, Differentiation, Myelomonocytic; Arteriosclerosis; Arteritis; Coronary Artery Disease; Female; Femoral Artery; Humans; Immunohistochemistry; Leukocyte Common Antigens; Macrophages; Male; Rupture, Spontaneous

Atherosclerosis is initiated by the infiltration of monocytes into the subendothelial space of the vessel wall and subsequent lipid accumulation of the activated macrophages. The molecular mechanisms involved in the anomalous behavior of macrophages in atherogenesis have only partially been disclosed. Chitotriosidase and human cartilage gp-39 (HC gp-39) are members of the chitinase family of proteins and are expressed in lipid-laden macrophages accumulated in various organs during Gaucher disease. In addition, as shown in this study, chitotriosidase and HC gp-39 can be induced with distinct kinetics in cultured macrophages. We investigated the expression of these chitinase-like genes in the human atherosclerotic vessel wall by in situ hybridizations on atherosclerotic specimens derived from femoral artery (4 specimens), aorta (4 specimens), iliac artery (3 specimens), carotid artery (4 specimens), and coronary artery (1 specimen), as well as 5 specimens derived from apparently normal vascular tissue. We show for the first time that chitotriosidase and HC gp-39 expression was strongly upregulated in distinct subsets of macrophages in the atherosclerotic plaque. The expression patterns of chitotriosidase and HC gp-39 were compared and shown to be different from the patterns observed for the extracellular matrix protein osteopontin and the macrophage marker tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase. Our data emphasize the remarkable phenotypic variation among macrophages present in the atherosclerotic lesion. Furthermore, chitotriosidase enzyme activity was shown to be elevated up to 55-fold in extracts of atherosclerotic tissue. Although a function for chitotriosidase and HC gp-39 has not been identified, we hypothesize a role in cell migration and tissue remodeling during atherogenesis.

Topics: Acid Phosphatase; Adipokines; Aged; Aged, 80 and over; Aorta; Arteriosclerosis; Cartilage; Cells, Cultured; Chitinase-3-Like Protein 1; Chitinases; Coronary Vessels; Female; Femoral Artery; Gene Expression Regulation, Enzymologic; Glycoproteins; Hexosaminidases; Humans; Iliac Artery; In Situ Hybridization; Isoenzymes; Lectins; Macrophages; Male; Middle Aged; Osteopontin; RNA, Messenger; Sialoglycoproteins; Tartrate-Resistant Acid Phosphatase; Umbilical Arteries

Immunolocalisation and histochemical techniques were used to examine mineralised bone deposits within late stage atherosclerotic plaques of human carotid arteries. These specimens showed characteristic features of osteogenesis. Large calcifications were often observed in close association with or integrated within mineralised bone. Smooth muscle cells (alpha-actin positive) were often located around osteoid-like matrix, together with focal accumulations of macrophages (CD68 and HAM56 positive). Local accumulations of mast cells (tryptase positive) were consistently observed in close association with the bone. Multinucleated giant cells in close apposition with mineralised bone demonstrated typical osteoclastic morphology, and were positively stained for acid phosphatase and the macrophage marker CD68. Thus, all the normal features of bone formation and resorption were observed in this microcosm of osteogenesis within atherosclerotic plaque; the term 'osteosome' seems appropriate for the structure. These osteosomes have numerous advantages for experimental studies of the various osteogenic factors responsible for bone metabolism, especially following short-term tissue culture. This ex vivo technique was used to demonstrate the distribution and the multiple cellular sources of bone morphogenetic protein 6.

Topics: Acid Phosphatase; Antigens, CD; Antigens, Differentiation, Myelomonocytic; Arteriosclerosis; Bone Morphogenetic Protein 6; Bone Morphogenetic Proteins; Bone Remodeling; Carotid Arteries; Giant Cells; Humans; Immunoenzyme Techniques; Muscle, Smooth, Vascular; Organ Culture Techniques; Ossification, Heterotopic

The differentiation of macrophages present in diffuse intimal thickening, fatty streaks, and atheromatous plaques, was analyzed with immunohistochemical methods, using segments of aorta, coronary, and carotid arteries obtained at autopsy. Various differentiation antigens were studied with the monoclonal antibodies anti-HLA-DR, EBM-11, Leu M3, OKM1, and OKM5. Adjacent sections were stained for lipids (oil red O) and lysosomal activity (acid phosphatase). Almost all macrophages identified with the pan-macrophage antibody EBM-11, also stained with the anti-HLA-DR antibody. Diffuse intimal thickening showed a predominance of Leu M3+ cells; fatty streaks also showed OKM1+ and OKM5+ macrophages. Classical atheromatous plaques showed a gradual shift in phenotypic expression towards the center of the lesion. Cells in the superficial layers were positive only with Leu M3, deeper localized cells showed double expression of Leu M3 and OKM1 or double expression of OKM1 and OKM5. Cells that were localized adjacent to the atheromatous debris stained only with OKM5. The phenotypic changes occurred in parallel with an increase in both fat uptake and lysosomal activity of the macrophages. This shift in phenotypic expression suggests a process of differentiation and maturation of the macrophages involved. The results indicate that macrophages within the arterial intima are activated and mature towards cells that express receptors for adhesion proteins and complement during the development of atherosclerotic plaques. This may imply that the macrophages involved in lipid metabolism also have a potential to act as effector cells in a chronic inflammatory process, and thus, may contribute to the progression of an atherosclerotic plaque. Functional studies of macrophage subpopulations are needed to verify this hypothesis.

Topics: Acid Phosphatase; Adult; Antibodies, Monoclonal; Arteriosclerosis; Autopsy; Cell Differentiation; Humans; Immunohistochemistry; Lipid Metabolism; Lipids; Macrophages; Middle Aged

The aim of the study was to assess the dose dependence of the antiatherogenic effect of verapamil (Isoptin, Lek Ljubljana, Yugoslavia) in rabbits fed 1% cholesterol diet. Verapamil was administered subcutaneously at doses of 0.25, 1 and 2 mg.kg-1/day at 12-hour intervals for 8 weeks. The results indicate verapamil administered s.c. exerts a preventive anti-atherosclerotic effect only in therapeutic doses (0.25 mg.kg-1). The beneficial effect of low-dose verapamil can also be seen in the spectrum of serum lipids as the drug lowers the levels of total cholesterol and triacylglycerols. Compared with the results obtained from a group receiving diet without Ca-antagonist premedication, high doses do not reduce the extent of atheromatous plaques.

Topics: Acid Phosphatase; Animals; Aorta, Thoracic; Arteriosclerosis; beta-Galactosidase; Blood Pressure; Cholesterol; Cholesterol, Dietary; Dipeptidyl-Peptidases and Tripeptidyl-Peptidases; Esterases; Glucosephosphate Dehydrogenase; Male; Muscle, Smooth, Vascular; Rabbits; Triglycerides; Verapamil

Lysosomal changes have been implicated as one of the major factors contributing to the progression and complications of atherosclerosis, and recently foam cell formation has been correlated with increases in several acid hydrolases. To explore at the subcellular level relationships among lesion progression, cellular lipid accumulation, and lysosomal change, atherosclerotic lesions from hypercholesterolemic White Carneau pigeons have been studied through combined ultrastructural cytochemistry and stereo (three-dimensional) high-voltage electron microscopy. Lysosomal enzyme activity in the prelesion intima and in foam cells of early lesions was in discrete lysosomes of macrophage foam cells. Foam cell lipid at the early stages was primarily (72%) in cytoplasmic droplets, which formed a three-dimensional network with the small (0.25-0.8 microM in diameter), reaction-positive lysosomes suspended at the vertices of a cytoplasmic lattice that delineated individual lipid pools. Concomitant with lesion progression and increasing complexity, foam cell lysosome number, size, and complexity increased. The complexity was characterized by lysosome lipid accumulation (60% of cell lipid) and the fusion of lysosomes to form multilobulated organelles in which the acid phosphatase reaction product typically was circumferential to the lysosomal lipid core. The involvement of lysosomes climaxed in the more advanced region of lesions with foam cells in which the bulk of cytoplasmic volume was occupied by large (15-20 microM in diameter), multicompartmental, lipid-containing lysosomes. It is suggested that this progressive involvement of lysosomes is responsible for cell and tissue necroses characteristic of advanced lesions.

Topics: Acid Phosphatase; Animals; Arteriosclerosis; Columbidae; Coronary Disease; Coronary Vessels; Diet, Atherogenic; Lipids; Lysosomes; Microscopy, Electron

In atherosclerotic lesions of rabbits fed a cholesterol-rich diet, the lipid deposits of foam cells derived from monocytes, smooth muscle and endothelial cells were studied by physical, cytochemical and ultrastructural methods. Beginning with the third week of diet, the lipid material that could be visualized at the light microscope level by Oil red O and Nile red staining was progressively accumulated in the intimal cells of the atherosclerotic lesions. In the early stages of foam cell formation, the deposits occurred especially as intracytoplasmic non-membrane bound lipid inclusions (lipid droplets). In polarizing microscopy these appeared as a mixture of iso-, and anisotropic material. The latter were birefringent and showed an axial symmetry with a black cross image, suggesting that the lipids were in a liquid crystalline state. In chemically-fixed specimens, the content of lipid inclusions was preserved in various degrees. In freeze-fractured preparations they displayed a layered onion-like arrangement with smooth cleavage faces surrounding an amorphous core. Upon incubation with filipin, that specifically binds to 3 beta-hydroxysterols, the peripheral layers of the inclusions were labeled, revealing the existence of unesterified cholesterol. In the advanced stages of foam cell formation, lipids were additionally accumulated in the lysosomal compartment as polymorphic multilamellar structures concentrically arranged, with cleavage faces devoid of intralamellar particles. The presence of acid phosphatase showed that these features were modified lysosomes and were tentatively named lysosomal lipid bodies. In the latest stages examined cholesterol crystals developed within lysosomal lipid bodies usually enclosed in multilamellar structures. This lipid coat may represent the place of crystal formation and presumably acts as barrier for the turnover of the crystalline cholesterol, thus impeding plaque regression.

Topics: Acid Phosphatase; Animals; Aorta; Arteries; Arteriosclerosis; Cholesterol; Diet, Atherogenic; Foam Cells; Freeze Fracturing; Histocytochemistry; Inclusion Bodies; Lipid Metabolism; Male; Microscopy, Electron; Rabbits; Staining and Labeling

Low-density lipoprotein (LDL) is essential for the regulation of cellular cholesterol homeostasis. Intracellular LDL cholesterol metabolism is achieved by the action of lysosomal enzymes. The hydrolytic cleavage of cholesterol is apparently suppressed in the smooth muscle of arterial vessels of hypertensive animal models, contributing to atherosclerosis. The change in the hydrolytic activity of the enzymes can be reversed by Ca2+ antagonists which also lower increased blood pressure. Thus, a blood pressure lowering effect of calcium antagonists may explain the antiatherosclerotic action of these agents. Preliminary data, using platelets as a model for studies on LDL action, suggest that LDL induces rapid cellular activation via phosphatidylinositol turnover.

Topics: Acetylglucosaminidase; Acid Phosphatase; Animals; Arteriosclerosis; Blood Platelets; Calcium Channel Blockers; Humans; Hyperlipidemias; Hypertension; Lipoproteins, LDL; Muscle, Smooth, Vascular; Rats; Rats, Inbred SHR; Risk Factors; Sterol Esterase

The addition of cholesterol (0.5%) to the diet of White Carneau pigeons induces site specific, temporally predictable, atherosclerotic lesions. The earliest lesions, which occurred after 3 weeks, were small (less than 2500 sq mu in surface area) and were composed primarily of macrophage foam cells (94% of lesion volume). With a prolonged time on the diet the lesions expanded due to increases in the number and size of foam cells, increases in the amount of extracellular space, and influx of smooth muscle cells. Macrophage foam cells in advanced lesions composed 61% of the lesion volume, smooth muscle cells 25%, and extracellular space 14%. Concurrent with the alteration in the constituency of the lesion, redistribution of lipid within foam cells was noted. Lipid in small lesions was primarily cytoplasmic (88%), with the remaining 12% in acid-phosphatase-positive secondary lysosomes. In more advanced lesions, 34% of the lipid was cytoplastic and 66% was lysosomal. The changes in large lesions appeared to be a function of lesion age, because at the growing edge of large lesions both composition and lipid distribution resembled those of small early lesions.

Topics: Acid Phosphatase; Animals; Aorta; Arteriosclerosis; Cholesterol; Columbidae; Foam Cells; Histocytochemistry; Lipids; Muscle, Smooth, Vascular; Time Factors

Lipid peroxidation has been induced by means of an atherogenic diet causing hypercholesterolaemia, hypertriglyceridaemia, increased LDL and decreased HDL serum fractions in addition to the fatty degeneration, vacuolization of the liver cells and accumulation of malondialdehyde in the liver. Increased release of acid phosphatase and N-beta-glucuronidase was also observed pointing to cholesterol-induced lysosomal membrane damage. In response to pretreatment with, and simultaneous administration of, 6,6'-methylene bis (2,2-dimethyl-4-methane sulphonic acid sodium salt-1,2-dihydroquinoline) the signs and symptoms of fatty liver degeneration, the tissue, plasma and platelet malondialdehyde concentrations and the LDL serum fraction significantly decreased and HDL serum fraction increased. Lisosomal membrane stability was restored, resulting in physiological acid phosphatase and N-beta-glucuronidase activities. The pathological and clinical aspects of lipid peroxidation in several diseases of the digestive organs and the suggested therapeutic uses of non-toxic radical scavengers have been outlined.

Topics: Acid Phosphatase; Animals; Antioxidants; Arteriosclerosis; Cell Membrane Permeability; Cholesterol; Cholesterol, Dietary; Fatty Liver; Glucuronidase; Lipid Peroxides; Lipoproteins, LDL; Liver; Lysosomes; Male; Malondialdehyde; Quinolines; Rabbits; Triglycerides

This histochemical study showed that experimentally arteriosclerotic rats, subjected to an occlusal stress of six weeks' duration, showed an inflammation-related increase of chloride-activated arginine aminopeptidase and acid phosphatase activity in the basal cells of the gingival epithelium. The activity of chloride-activated arginine aminopeptidase and acid and alkaline phosphatase in the gingival connective tissue was slight and suggestive of chronic inflammation. Biochemical comparison of gingival specimens from the stressed and unstressed sides of the jaw in the experimental animals failed to reveal any difference in the rate of N-L-arginyl-2-naphthylamide hydrolysis induced by the C1-ion in connection with occlusal disorder. On the other hand, the mean value of the enzyme activity was lower in the experimental animals than the controls (p less than 0.5). The difference was assumed to be associated with degenerative tissue changes. The hydrolysis of p-nitrophenyl phosphate at acidic and alkaline pH in the gingiva was higher in the experimental animals than in the controls, and in the alkaline pH range the difference between the mean values was statistically significant (p less than 0.01). This finding, which may be associated not only with gingival inflammation but also with other tissue changes, requires further investigation.

Topics: Acid Phosphatase; Alkaline Phosphatase; Aminopeptidases; Animals; Arteriosclerosis; Dental Occlusion, Traumatic; Female; Gingivitis; Male; Rats

Thyroid hormones control the levels of the lysosomal enzymes, cholesterol esterase and hyaluronidase, in rat liver, skeletal muscle and skin. Activities of these enzymes decreased to approximately 40-50% of normal levels in liver cell fractions, skeletal muscle homogenates and skin homogenates from thyroidectomized rats. Treatment of hypophysectomized rats with L-triiodothyronine increased the activities of cholesterol esterase and hyaluronidase approximately 2-fold in liver cell fractions. The low levels of hyaluronidase and cholesterol esterase in thyroidectomized rats may account for the accumulation of mucopolysaccharides in skin and for the elevation of serum cholesterol levels in hypothyroid patients.

Topics: Acid Phosphatase; Animals; Arteriosclerosis; Carboxylic Ester Hydrolases; Enzyme Activation; Hyaluronoglucosaminidase; Hypercholesterolemia; Hypophysectomy; Hypothyroidism; Lysosomes; Male; Myxedema; Rats; Sterol Esterase; Thyroid Gland; Triiodothyronine

Topics: Acid Phosphatase; Adult; Aged; Arteriosclerosis; Esterases; Fibroblasts; Foam Cells; Humans; Lipids; Macrophages; Middle Aged; Muscle, Smooth, Vascular

Phthalazinol (EG 626), a thromboxane A2 antagonist and cyclic AMP phosphodiesterase inhibitor, has been shown to prevent the atherosclerosis induced in cholesterol fed rabbits. In an attempt to clarify the antiatherosclerotic mechanism, the effects of this compound on the lipolytic enzyme activities (cholesterol esterase and lipoprotein lipase) of rat aorta were examined in vivo. Administration of EG 626 (100-200 mg/kg, per os, daily, 1-2 weeks) affected neither the aortic lysosomal cholesterol esterase nor the acid phosphatase activity, whereas the lipoprotein lipase activity was signficantly decreased by the treatment. These results suggest that with an elevation in HDL-cholesterol, a decrease in lipoprotein lipase activity after ingestion of EG 626 might contribute, at least to some extent, to the prevention of arterial lipid accumulation.

Topics: 3',5'-Cyclic-AMP Phosphodiesterases; Acid Phosphatase; Animals; Aorta; Arteries; Arteriosclerosis; Cholesterol; Lipolysis; Lipoprotein Lipase; Lipoproteins, HDL; Male; Phthalazines; Pyridazines; Rats; Sterol Esterase

The subcellular sites of accumulation of cholesterol and cholesteryl esters in rabbit atheromatous cells, were investigated by morphologic and biochemical techniques. Electron microscopy of lipid-filled cells in situ in atheromatous aortas of cholesterol-fed rabbits revealed lipid accumulation in the cytoplasm as lipid droplets and within lysosomes in the form of lipid globules, membranous whorls, and crystals. When such cells were isolated from the rabbit aortas by enzymic digestion, and then treated with Flickinger's aldehyde fixative containing 0.2 per cent digitonin, characteristic digitonide-lipid complexes ("spicules") were observed in discrete sites of the cytoplasm distinct from the cytoplasmic droplets. If these cells were first stained cytochemically for acid phosphatase and then treated with digitonin-aldehyde fixative, enzyme reaction product was found associated with the spicules indicating that the lysosomes of the atheromatous cells possess digitonin-reactive lipid. Subcellular fractionation of isolated rabbit aortic foam cells by sucrose density gradient centrifugation demonstrated the coequilibration of most of the intracellular unesterified cholesterol with low density lysosomes. Some cholesteryl ester was also associated with low density lysosomes, although most was found in a lipid droplet fraction of very low density. Together the results indicate that in rabbit atheromatous cells, lysosomes are the site of accumulation of intracellular cholesterol in excess of that structurally associated with membranes and that both cytoplasmic droplets and lysosomes are depot sites for cholesteryl esters.

Topics: Acid Phosphatase; Animals; Aorta; Arteriosclerosis; Cholesterol; Cholesterol Esters; Cholesterol, Dietary; Cytoplasm; Digitonin; Female; Lysosomes; Rabbits

Topics: Acid Phosphatase; Adenosine Triphosphatases; Alkaline Phosphatase; Aminopeptidases; Animals; Aorta; Arteries; Arteriosclerosis; Female; Gingiva; Male; Mandible; Periodontium; Rats; Tongue

Topics: Acid Phosphatase; Animals; Arteriosclerosis; Cholesterol; Daunorubicin; DNA; Ethidium; Heart; Humans; Hydrolases; Lysosomes; Mice; Muscles; Neoplasms; Parasitic Diseases; Pinocytosis; Rabbits; Subcellular Fractions; Trypanosoma cruzi; Trypanosomiasis

Local irradiation of the carotid artery of the hypercholesterolemic rabbit with 2000 rd of X-rays gives rise to infiltration of lipid droplets in the intima and media, becoming visible 3 days after the irradiation. At the same time, acid phosphatase and beta-glucuronidase become activated. These enhanced activities are localized in different cells of the arterial wall. Acid phosphatase activity is localized in the intima, while the beta-glucuronidase activation is found preferentially in the media. A functional heterogeneity of the lysosomal content of the different cells is suggested. A model for the development of the radiation-induced atheromatosis is presented.

Topics: Acid Phosphatase; Animals; Arteriosclerosis; Carotid Arteries; Disease Models, Animal; Enzyme Activation; Female; Glucuronidase; Glycosaminoglycans; Histocytochemistry; Hypercholesterolemia; Lipid Metabolism; Lysosomes; Male; Models, Biological; Rabbits; Radiation Injuries, Experimental; Radiotherapy

The cellular events that occur in the vessel wall consequent to changes in endothelial permeability result in the progression of vascular disease, particularly atherosclerosis. Female rhesus monkeys were fed an atherogenic diet or were made hypertensive for 6-8 months; and their vessels were then compared with vessels from control monkeys. Length-defined segments of coronary vessels, the thoracic aorta, and the abdominal aorta showed significant increases in total connective tissue in the atherosclerotic and hypertensive groups; pulmonary vessels did not. The diseased aortic segments had increased levels of two lysosomal enzymes, acid phosphatase and beta-N-acetylglucosaminidase; pulmonary vessels were not diseased and did not show these changes. Coronary vessels from the atherosclerotic and hypertensive groups did not show an increase in enzyme levels on biochemical measurements, but focal accumulations of lysosomes were identified by cytochemical techniques. In atherosclerotic lesions, a doubling of cholesterol and more than a tenfold increase in cholesterol ester were found. These connective tissue and lysosomal changes are early features of primate vascular disease and may result from the accumulation of excessive substrate (cholesterol ester) in the lysosomes of vascular smooth muscle cells.

Topics: Acid Phosphatase; Animals; Aorta, Abdominal; Aorta, Thoracic; Arteries; Arteriosclerosis; Blood Vessels; Cholesterol; Connective Tissue; Coronary Vessels; Diet, Atherogenic; DNA; Female; Hexosaminidases; Hypertension; Lung; Lysosomes; Macaca mulatta

Cytochemical methods for acid phosphatase and catalase were applied to atheromatous aortas from cholesterol-fed rabbits. Whole tissue, partially digested aortic slices and isolated cells were used for the study. Present in the atheromatous lesions were smooth muscle cells in all stages of foamy transformation, from virtually normal appearing smooth muscle cells to severely altered cells with pronounced lipid accumulation. The results with the acid phosphatase method show that lysosomes increase both in size and in number as the smooth muscle cells become foam cells. In normal appearing smooth muscle cells, acid phosphatase reaction product was found in stacked cisternae of the Golgi apparatus and in small vesicles located in the Golgi region and distributed throughout the cytoplasm. In foam cells, reaction product was found in membrane-limited vacuoles of varying size which typically contained membranous debris or myelin-like figures together with massive lipid deposits. No reaction was seen in "free" cytoplasmic lipid droplets lacking a surrounding membrane. These results confirm and extend previous biochemical findings indicating that, in the cholesterol-fed rabbit, the change from normal smooth muscle cell to foam cell is accompanied by marked physical and chemical changes of the lysosomes, including their progressive overloading with cholesteryl ester. Small diaminobenzidine-positive particles were present in normal smooth muscle cells and in those at all stages of foamy transformation. These particles were more frequent in foam cells, in agreement with the marked increase in catalase activity detected biochemically in these cells.

Topics: Acid Phosphatase; Animals; Aorta; Arteries; Arteriosclerosis; Catalase; Cholesterol, Dietary; Diet, Atherogenic; Female; Golgi Apparatus; Histocytochemistry; Inclusion Bodies; Lipids; Lysosomes; Microscopy, Electron; Muscle, Smooth; Rabbits; Staining and Labeling

Topics: Acid Phosphatase; Amidohydrolases; Animals; Aorta; Arteriosclerosis; Catalase; Cathepsins; Cell Fractionation; Centrifugation, Density Gradient; Cholesterol, Dietary; Chromatography, Thin Layer; Diet, Atherogenic; DNA; Electron Transport Complex IV; Female; Glycoside Hydrolases; Lysosomes; Male; Microscopy, Electron; Muscle, Smooth; Nucleotidases; Rabbits

Topics: Acid Phosphatase; Adenosine Monophosphate; Adenosine Triphosphatases; Adolescent; Adult; Aged; Alkaline Phosphatase; Arteriosclerosis; Autopsy; Coronary Disease; Coronary Vessels; Dihydrolipoamide Dehydrogenase; Esterases; Glutamate Dehydrogenase; Glycerolphosphate Dehydrogenase; Histocytochemistry; Humans; L-Lactate Dehydrogenase; Leucyl Aminopeptidase; Lipase; Malate Dehydrogenase; Middle Aged; Oxidation-Reduction; Oxidoreductases; Phosphoric Monoester Hydrolases; Succinate Dehydrogenase

Topics: Acid Phosphatase; Alkaline Phosphatase; Animals; Aorta; Arteriosclerosis; Diet, Atherogenic; Dietary Fats; Enzyme Repression; Esterases; Female; Hyperthyroidism; L-Lactate Dehydrogenase; Malate Dehydrogenase; Nucleotidases; Oxidoreductases; Pyrophosphatases; Rats; Thyroid Hormones; Thyronines

Topics: Acid Phosphatase; Adolescent; Adult; Aged; Aorta; Arteriosclerosis; Blood Vessels; Child; Chronic Disease; Coronary Disease; Coronary Vessels; Esterases; Female; Humans; Hyperthyroidism; Lipase; Lipid Metabolism; Liver Cirrhosis; Male; Middle Aged; Pneumonia; Tuberculosis, Pulmonary

Topics: Acid Phosphatase; Adrenal Glands; Amphetamine; Animals; Arteriosclerosis; Coronary Vessels; Diet, Atherogenic; Hypothalamo-Hypophyseal System; Rabbits; Thyroid Gland

A light microscopy study on the localization of enzyme activity within atherosclerotic human intracranial arteries was performed on autopsy material obtained within 4 hours of death. The data suggests that the atherosclerotic process first goes through a proliferative phase and then a degenerative phase culminating in the formation of a plaque. In the proliferative phase, smooth muscle cell proliferation has formed a thickened intima. Tetrazolium reductase, adenosine triphosphatase (ATPase) and adenosine monophosphatase (AMPase) activities are present in these cells, while all dehydrogenases and acid phosphatase activities were weak or not present. As the degenerative phase commences, an area of necrosis, lipid and macrophage accumulation is formed on the lumen side of the elastica. This area increases in size until a plaque is formed. Unsaturated polar and nonpolar lipid, cholesterol, alpha-glycerophosphate dehydrogenase, acid phosphatase, and AMPase activities are associated with these areas and in foam cells, which are often found in the thickened intima of the proliferative phase. Tetrazolium reductase and ATPase activities decrease in the thickened intima as the area of necrosis increases in size, while dehydrogenase activity, except that for alpha-glycerophosphate, remains low or not present. Patterns of enzyme alterations for various stages of the disease process in intracranial arteries, the aorta and coronary arteries suggest a similar, if not identical, progression of the atherosclerotic process, irrespective of known differences in the prevalence of atherosclerosis.

Topics: Acid Phosphatase; Adenosine Monophosphate; Adenosine Triphosphatases; Adult; Aged; Arteriosclerosis; Autopsy; Basilar Artery; Carotid Arteries; Cerebral Arteries; Cholesterol; Female; Glycerolphosphate Dehydrogenase; Histocytochemistry; Humans; L-Lactate Dehydrogenase; Lipid Metabolism; Male; Middle Aged; Necrosis; Oxidoreductases; Tetrazolium Salts

Topics: Acid Phosphatase; Adenosine Triphosphatases; Alkaline Phosphatase; Arteriosclerosis; Coronary Disease; Dihydrolipoamide Dehydrogenase; Enzyme Induction; Esterases; Extracellular Space; Humans; L-Lactate Dehydrogenase; Lipase; Lipid Metabolism; Muscle, Smooth; Succinate Dehydrogenase

Topics: Acid Phosphatase; Arteriosclerosis; Chronic Disease; Female; Glaucoma; Glycosaminoglycans; Humans; Hyaluronoglucosaminidase; Injections, Subcutaneous; Male; Middle Aged

Topics: Acid Phosphatase; Animals; Aorta; Arteriosclerosis; Cathepsins; Dogs; Glucuronidase; Guinea Pigs; Hydrolases; Lysosomes; Malate Dehydrogenase; Male; Rabbits; Rats; Sulfatases; Swine

Topics: Acid Phosphatase; Adenosine Triphosphatases; Alkaline Phosphatase; Animals; Arteriosclerosis; Carbamates; Cholesterol; Coronary Disease; Diethylstilbestrol; Esterases; Fructose-Bisphosphate Aldolase; Glucosephosphate Dehydrogenase; Glucosyltransferases; Glucuronidase; Histocytochemistry; L-Lactate Dehydrogenase; Lipase; Nucleotidases; Pyridines; Rabbits; Succinate Dehydrogenase

Topics: Acid Phosphatase; Alkaline Phosphatase; Animals; Aorta; Arteriosclerosis; Cholesterol; Diet, Atherogenic; Disease Models, Animal; Esterases; Female; Glucuronidase; Kidney; L-Lactate Dehydrogenase; Liver; Rabbits; Time Factors

Topics: Acid Phosphatase; Alanine Transaminase; Alcohol Oxidoreductases; Alkaline Phosphatase; Amylases; Animals; Aorta; Arteries; Arteriosclerosis; Aspartate Aminotransferases; Blood Cell Count; Blood Glucose; Calcium; Cholesterol; Cholinesterases; Coronary Disease; Fatty Acids; Fatty Acids, Nonesterified; Female; Hematocrit; Hemoglobins; L-Lactate Dehydrogenase; Leucyl Aminopeptidase; Lipids; Lipoprotein Lipase; Lipoproteins; Liver; Myocardium; Nicotine; Phospholipids; Potassium; Rabbits; Smoking; Sodium; Time Factors; Urea

Topics: Acid Phosphatase; Adenosine Triphosphatases; Adolescent; Adult; Age Factors; Aged; Aorta; Arteriosclerosis; Esterases; Fibroblasts; Histiocytes; Histocytochemistry; Humans; Leucyl Aminopeptidase; Lipid Metabolism; Middle Aged; Nucleotidases; Proteins; Thromboplastin

Topics: Acid Phosphatase; Adenosine Triphosphatases; Alkaline Phosphatase; Animals; Aorta; Arteriosclerosis; Cholesterol; Diet, Atherogenic; Esterases; Histiocytes; Histocytochemistry; Lipids; Liver; Lung; Male; Muscle, Smooth; Oxidoreductases; Rabbits; Spleen

Topics: Acid Phosphatase; Adenosine Triphosphatases; Adolescent; Adult; Aged; Alkaline Phosphatase; Aorta; Arteries; Arteriosclerosis; Carotid Arteries; Child; Esterases; Glucose-6-Phosphatase; Glycosaminoglycans; Histocytochemistry; Humans; Hydrolases; Iliac Artery; Leucyl Aminopeptidase; Lipase; Mesenteric Arteries; Methods; Middle Aged; Nucleotidases; Renal Artery; Subclavian Artery

Topics: Acid Phosphatase; Alkaline Phosphatase; Animals; Aorta; Arteriosclerosis; Cholesterol; Cholinesterases; Coronary Vessels; Electrophoresis; Enzymes; Esterases; Female; Glucuronidase; Histocytochemistry; Humans; Isoenzymes; Malate Dehydrogenase; Male; Rabbits; Rats

Topics: Acid Phosphatase; Animals; Aorta; Arteriosclerosis; Cathepsins; Cholesterol; Cortisone; Diet, Atherogenic; Glucuronidase; Male; Rabbits; Sulfatases

Topics: Acid Phosphatase; Aorta; Aortic Diseases; Arteriosclerosis; Cathepsins; DNA; Glucuronidase; Humans; Sulfatases

Topics: Acid Phosphatase; Adenosine Triphosphatases; Adolescent; Adult; Aged; Alkaline Phosphatase; Aorta; Arteries; Arteriosclerosis; Carotid Arteries; Celiac Artery; Esterases; Glucose-6-Phosphatase; Glycosaminoglycans; Histocytochemistry; Humans; Hydrolases; Iliac Artery; Leucyl Aminopeptidase; Lipase; Mesenteric Arteries; Methods; Middle Aged; Nucleotidases; Renal Artery; Subclavian Artery; Ultraviolet Rays; Vasa Vasorum

Topics: Accidents, Traffic; Acid Phosphatase; Adolescent; Adult; Aged; Arteriosclerosis; Biometry; Celiac Plexus; Child; Child, Preschool; Death, Sudden; Female; Ganglia, Autonomic; Histocytochemistry; Histological Techniques; Humans; Male; Middle Aged; Stellate Ganglion; Synapses

Topics: Acid Phosphatase; Adrenal Glands; Alanine Transaminase; Animals; Anti-Inflammatory Agents; Anticholesteremic Agents; Aorta; Arteriosclerosis; Cholesterol; Diet, Atherogenic; Female; Glycosides; Liver; Phosphorus; Rabbits

Topics: Acid Phosphatase; Arteriosclerosis; Atrophy; Choroid; Diathermy; Drug Synergism; Hyaluronoglucosaminidase; Myopia

Topics: Acid Phosphatase; Adenosine Triphosphatases; Alkaline Phosphatase; Animals; Aorta; Aorta, Abdominal; Aorta, Thoracic; Arteriosclerosis; Calcium; Cholesterol; Diet, Atherogenic; Female; Magnesium; Male; Poultry

Topics: Acid Phosphatase; Adenosine Triphosphatases; Alkaline Phosphatase; Animals; Aorta; Aorta, Abdominal; Aorta, Thoracic; Arteriosclerosis; Calcium; Cholesterol; Diet, Atherogenic; Female; Magnesium; Male; Rats; Thiouracil

Topics: Acid Phosphatase; Animals; Arteriosclerosis; Bronchiectasis; Celiac Plexus; Collagen Diseases; Dogs; Emphysema; Ganglia, Autonomic; Histocytochemistry; Humans; Infections; Liver Cirrhosis; Neoplasms; Synapses; Tuberculosis

Topics: Acid Phosphatase; Adult; Aged; Alkaline Phosphatase; Aneurysm; Angiography; Arteriosclerosis; Dihydrolipoamide Dehydrogenase; Esterases; Female; Glucose-6-Phosphatase; Histocytochemistry; Humans; In Vitro Techniques; Male; Middle Aged; Succinate Dehydrogenase; Transplantation, Autologous; Veins

Topics: Acid Phosphatase; Adenosine Triphosphatases; Alkaline Phosphatase; Animals; Aorta; Arteriosclerosis; Cholinesterases; Clinical Enzyme Tests; Coronary Vessels; Electron Transport Complex IV; Esterases; Glycosaminoglycans; Hexokinase; Histocytochemistry; Monoamine Oxidase; NAD; NADP; Oxidoreductases; Poultry; Poultry Diseases; Research

Topics: Acid Phosphatase; Adenosine Triphosphatases; Alkaline Phosphatase; Arteries; Arteriosclerosis; Dihydrolipoamide Dehydrogenase; Enzymes; Esterases; Histocytochemistry; Humans; Succinate Dehydrogenase

Topics: Acid Phosphatase; Arteriosclerosis; Classification; Enzyme Therapy; Enzymes; Humans; Hyaluronoglucosaminidase; Neurology; Ophthalmology

Topics: Acid Phosphatase; Alkaline Phosphatase; Animals; Arteriosclerosis; Atherosclerosis; Lagomorpha; Rabbits

Topics: 5'-Nucleotidase; Acid Phosphatase; Adenosine Triphosphate; Arteriosclerosis; Blood Vessels; Phosphoric Monoester Hydrolases; Protein Tyrosine Phosphatases; Pyrophosphatases