Concentration of some proteinase inhibitors: alpha 1-antitrypsin and alpha 2-macroglobulin in rabbit blood serum in two models of experimental atherosclerosis

In rabbits with experimental atherosclerosis induced by a cholesterol-rich diet, alpha 1-antitrypsin concentration was decreased as compared with control, by 34%, whereas alpha 2-macroglobulin concentration was increased by 86%. In animals fed a methionine-rich diet changes in concentration of both inhibitors involved in elastase metabolism were but slight, if any.