Distribution of glycosaminoglycans in consecutive layers of the rabbit aorta.

Transmural variations in various glycosaminoglycan (GAG) fractions were determined in adventitia-free thoracic aortas from rabbits. Total glycosaminoglycan concentration decreased from intima to outer media. These data are similar to total GAG concentration in bovine and human aortas as reported by others. There is a marked decrease in the concentration of the combined chondroitin sulfate-dermatan sulfate component with increasing distance from the endothelial surface. These transmural differences are linked to the possible variation of the diffusion coefficient of a diffusing solute as a function of distance, which can affect the concentration profile of the solute.