Phosphoglucoisomerase activity in the atherosclerotic aorta. I

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Abstract
Specimens of human aortic tissue taken at autopsy were selected on the basis of clinical and pathological criteria. Normal and atherosclerotic areas were excised from each specimen and the intima was separated from the media by dissection. Samples of each dissected specimen were taken for measurement of phosphoglucoisomerase (PGI) activity and analysis for the content of moisture, total N2, noncollagen N2, and DNA. While little difference was found in PGI activity between the normal and atherosclerotic areas when the activity was calculated on the basis of the wet or dry weight of the tissue, a significantly higher activity was revealed in the atherosclerotic intima specimens when the values were calculated on the basis of the content of N2, DNA, or noncollagen N2. The last 2 criteria reflect the total cell number and total cell mass, respectively, and when used for the calculation of PGI activity give the best agreement.