Serum concentrations of elastin-derived peptides in patients with specific manifestations of atherosclerotic disease.

Abstract

To measure serum concentrations of elastin-derived peptides (S-EDP) in patients with aneurysmal, occlusive and ulcerative manifestations of atherosclerotic disease. S-EDP concentrations were measured by a competitive enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay in 10 patients with infrarenal aneurysms 5cm in diameter (AAA), 10 patients with distal aortic occlusive disease (AOD), 10 patients with symptomatic carotid stenosis (>or=70%) and plaque ulceration (SCS) and a control group of 10 patients with no similar specific manifestations of atherosclerotic disease (NAM). S-EDP concentrations (median, range) were significantly higher in patients with AAA (42ng/ml, 35-52, p<0.001) and SCS (49ng/ml, 37-60, p<0.001) but not AOD (28ng/ml, 22-38, p=0.240) compared to NAM (26ng/ml, 19-36) patients. Increased concentrations of S-EDP were associated with aneurysmal and ulcerative, but not occlusive, manifestations of atherosclerosis.