Alterations of Protein, Lipid and Polysaccharide Composition of Canine Aortas Induced by Allylamine, Gonadal Steroids and Castration

¹ From the Cardiovascular Section, Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation, the Departments of Medicine and Biochemistry, University of Oklahoma School of Medicine, and the Research Laboratory, Veterans Administration Hospital, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma

The aortic concentration of cholesterol, phospholipid, alkali-soluble nitrogen and polysaccharides decreased from arch to trifurcation in normal, allylamine-treated, and steroid-treated castrate dogs; total and alkali-insoluble nitrogen increased. These concentration gradients did not correlate with tissue cell counts or potassium levels. Aortic cholesterol increased significantly with age in males but not females. Acetal phosphatide was clearly demonstrated histochemically and its concentration followed the lipid phosphorus gradient. It was noted in juxtaposition to elastic fibers. Other lipids were mostly intracellular. Higher concentrations of cholesterol and alkali-soluble nitrogen existed in the aortas of allylamine-treated dogs and steroid-treated castrate dogs. In addition, slight increases in hexosamine and slight decreases in glycogen were shown in the aortas of allylamine-treated animals. An accumulation of periodic-acid-Schiff positive material other than glycogen was noted at the site of allylamine-induced injury. Allylamine administration increased serum glycoprotein and seromucoid.