Human pancreatic elastolytic enzymes and atherosclerosis and lung emphysema in elderly people

In previous papers the present author had put forward the hypothesis that elastolytic enzymes play a role in the formation of fibrous plaques (atherosclerotic lesions of grade 2). In order to get more information about the relationship between the concentrations of pancreatic elastoproteinase and elastomucases and the degree of atherosclerosis and senile lung emphysema, more data of necropsied individuals over 50 years of age were collected.

The data clearly demonstrate a high correlation between increased levels of elastolytic enzymes in the pancreas and those stages of atherogenesis and lung emphysema in which metabolic changes in the connective tissue components take place. Since the process of elevated enzyme production in the pancreas seems to precede the formation of severe atherosclerotic lesions, no correlation was found between pancreatic enzyme levels and the severity or complications of atherosclerosis.

The age relationship of pancreatic enzyme production and the influence of elastolytic enzymes on the occurrence of myocardial infarction, as suggested by some authors, still remains unclear.