Proteolytic enzyme activity as a result of aging.
OBJECTIVE
The extracellular matrix (ECM) undergoes constant dynamic changes; proteolytic enzymes, particularly the serine proteases plasmin, trypsin and elastase, catalyze critical functions in these processes. Notably, ECM degradation disorders have been reported in various morbid conditions, including cardiac infarction, atheromatosis, and neoplastic diseases, indicating a physiological requirement for proper ECM maintenance. Here we define the role of proteolytic enzymes in the development of aging by assessing changes in proteolytic enzyme activity in serum during aging in rats.


METHODS
The activities of trypsin, elastase and plasmin in rat serum were determined by the fluorometric method using AMC-labeled substrates in 34Wistar rats divided into four age groups: 3 month-olds (n=8), 9 month-olds (n=8), 15 month-olds (n=8) and 24 month-olds (n=10).


RESULTS
Analysis of proteolytic enzyme activity in four age-dependent groups revealed that in comparison to their 3, 9, and 24 month-old counterparts, the 15 month-old rats exhibited a statistically significant increase in average elastase activity. In accordance with previous studies, a statistically significant increase in trypsin levels was found in the 3 month-old rats, suggesting that trypsin activity decreases with age. Average plasma plasmin activity in the 24 month-old rats was, moreover, statistically significantly higher than that in the other three age groups.


CONCLUSIONS
Analysis of combined proteolytic activity indicates that age-dependent patterning of blood serine protease enzyme activity may be related to age-related diseases.
Paczek
Leszek
L
Department of Immunology, Transplant Medicine and Internal Diseases, Medical University of Warsaw, Transplantation Institute, 02-006 Warsaw, Poland. leszekpaczek@onet.pl
Michalska
Wanda
W
Bartlomiejczyk
Irena
I
D000375:Aging / Q000097:blood*; D000818:Animals; D005341:Fibrinolysin / Q000378:metabolism; D008297:Male; D010196:Pancreatic Elastase / Q000097:blood; D010447:Peptide Hydrolases / Q000097:blood*; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar; D014357:Trypsin / Q000097:blood
D010447:Peptide Hydrolases; D010196:Pancreatic Elastase; D014357:Trypsin; D005341:Fibrinolysin