Influence of β-Aminopropionitrile Feeding on Collagen Synthesis in Rat Aortas

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Abstract
In /3-aminopropionitrile (BAPN) fed rats which did not die of angiorrhexis, weakening of the media predisposed to aneurysmal dilatation and fibrosis of the aorta. Chemical analyses for scleroproteins were done on dehydrated and fat extracted aortas from 10 control and 10 BAPN fed rats. Collagen and elastin were calculated from hydroxyproline concentrations in the soluble and insoluble protein fractions. Test aortas with aneurysmal dilatation and fibrosis on occasion weighed up to 100% more than aortas of controls of similar age. Increased weight of test aortas was due principally to synthesis of collagen and an unidentified protein. Decrease in elastin per cent in test aortas could be accounted for in most instances by increased synthesis of collagen and unidentified protein. None of the analyses suggested that elastin is synthesized during fibrous repair of BAPN induced aortic aneurysms.