Study objective: The aim was to investigate alterations in sulphated glycosaminoglycans in aortic dissection.
Design: Aortic fragments were taken from 10 patients within the first 3 d after onset of symptoms of aortic dissection and from nine age matched patients with no aortic disease. Sulphated glycosaminoglycans were analysed and quantified by agarose gel electrophoresis and densitometry after degradation with specific enzymes.
Measurements and main results: The amount of chondroitin sulphate was similar (7.14 v 7.60 mg.g-1 of dry tissue, n = 10, p greater than 0.5) in patients with dissection and in the control group. Total sulphated glycosaminoglycan content was decreased (11.51 v 14.26 mg.g-1 of dry tissue, n = 10, p less than 0.001). This difference was due to heparan sulphate (1.79 v 2.48 mg.g-1 of dry tissue, n = 10, p less than 0.05) and mainly to dermatan sulphate (2.58 v 4.18 mg.g-1 of dry tissue, n = 10, p less than 0.001). The ratio of 6-/4-sulphated disaccharides after chondroitinase ABC digestion was increased in the affected group. No correlation between these biochemical results and a histological evaluation of mucoid content was found. On the other hand, a significant increase in chondroitin sulphate could be observed related to aging.
Conclusions: The diminution in sulphated glycosaminoglycans and its possible relationship with fat, collagen, and other extracellular matrix molecules could lead to a weakness in the aortic wall related to the dissection.