Abstract:Atherosclerosis is a common cardiovascular disease with high mortality. Heparanase is an endogenous β-D-glucuronidase that can cleave the upper side chain of acetylproteoglycan sulfate in the outer membrane of the cell. And its non-enzymatic activity also plays a role in many normal physiological activities or pathological diseases. Studies have shown that heparanase is closely related to the formation and progression of atherosclerosis. This paper reviews the effects of heparanase on endothelial injury, coagulation, inflammatory factors and lipid accumulation, and expounds its role and mechanism in the occurrence and development of atherosclerosis.

Abstract:Aim To analyse the relation between heparanase (HPA) and stablilization of athersclerotic plaques in human coronary arteries; and to investigate the role of HPA in creating vulenerable sites in atherosclerotic plaques. Methods Samples of coronary arteries were obtained at autopsies of 36 patients with acute coronary syndrome. Eighty randomly selected blocks were studied by immunohistochemistry using antibody against HPA. Computer-aid planimetor was used for quantitative analysis. Results In unstable plaques, percentage of immunoreactive areas for HPA was significantly higer than that in stable plaques. Conclusions HPA in coronary atherosclerotic plaque is an important factor in determining stablilization of the plaques.