The Relationship Between Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm Distensibility and Serum Markers of Elastin and Collagen Metabolism

• Published in: European journal of vascular and endovascular surgery Vol. 21; no. 2; pp. 175 - 178
• Main Authors: Wilson, K.A, Lindholt, J.S, Hoskins, P.R, Heickendorff, L, Vammen, S, Bradbury, A.W
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: England Elsevier Ltd 01.02.2001
• Subjects: Adult; Aneurysm; Aortic Aneurysm, Abdominal - metabolism; Aortic Aneurysm, Abdominal - physiopathology; Collagen - metabolism; Collagenolysis; Elasticity; Elastin - blood; Elastolysis; Humans; Male; Middle Aged; Prospective Studies; Elastolysis; Elasticity; Collagenolysis; Aneurysm
• ISSN: 1078-5884; 1532-2165
• DOI: 10.1053/ejvs.2001.1303

Background: abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) distensibility may be an independent predictor of growth and rupture, possibly because it reflects changes in aortic wall structure and composition. Aim: to determine whether AAA distensibility is related to circulating markers of elastin and collagen metabolism. Methods: sixty-two male patients of median age (IQR) 68 (65–72) years with asymptomatic AAA of median (IQR) diameter 42 (37–45) mm were prospectively studied. Pressure-strain elastic modulus (Ep) and stiffness (β) were measured using an ultrasonic echo-tracker (Diamove). Serum elastin peptides (SEP), plasma elastin-α1-antitrypsin complex (E-AT), procollagen III-N-terminal propeptide (PIIINP) were measured by enzyme-linked immunoassay. Results: age and smoking adjusted Ep and β were significantly inversely related to SEP (r=−0.33 and r=−0.31 respectively, bothp <0.02) and E-AT (r=−0.27 and r=−0.27 respectively, bothp <0.05) both of which indicate elastolysis. By contrast, there was a significant positive correlation between PIIINP, indicative of increased collagen turn-over, and both Ep and β (both r=0.45, p<0.01 unadjusted correlations). Conclusion: increased elastolysis is associated with increased AAA wall distensibility; whereas increased collagen turn-over is associated with reduced distensibility.