Serum elastase-type enzymes and their correlation to blood lipids in male patients with atherosclerosis.

Serum elastase-type activity, elastase inhibitory capacity and their relation to lipids were examined in 140 male patients with ischaemic vascular disease (coronary, cerebral, peripheral) and in 60 control subjects. Serum elastase-type activity was found to be significantly lower, inhibitory capacity significantly higher, in the groups of patients than in the controls. HDL- and HDL2 cholesterol as well as apo A concentration showed significant negative correlation with elastase inhibitory capacity both in atherosclerotic and in control subjects.