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The nature and behavior of two fluorescent substances, present in the intimal plaques of atherosclerotic human aortas were studied. The maximum activation and emission wavelength of the first peak was 350/405 which is characteristic for pure elastin, while the specific fluorescence of the other peak was 380/450. Only a small part of the latter was readily extractable from the plaques while the major portion was tightly bound in a complex. After digestion with elastase the fluorescent material and associated hydrophobic peptides could be extracted by chloroform:methanol 3:1 The elastase treatment hydrolyzed both elastin and associated proteins. The fluorescent compound resembled other tissue pigments in its emission, and in giving a positive reaction in the thiobarbituric acid test, a red spot characteristic for malonaldehyde.
Banga et al. (1974) studied this question.