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Figure 4 | BMC Cardiovascular Disorders

Figure 4

From: ACE inhibition attenuates uremia-induced aortic valve thickening in a novel mouse model

Figure 4

Histological sections showing valvular thickness, and stainings of the valves for the detection of fibrosis and neutral lipids in variously treated apoE -/- mice. Typical hematoxylin-stained sections from (A) unoperated controls (0 NX), (B) unilaterally nephrectomized (1/2 NX), and (C) subtotally nephrectomized (5/6 NX) apoE-/- mice in Study 1, and (D) sham-operated controls (0 NX), (E) subtotally nephrectomized and (F) subtotally nephrectomized enalapril-treated (5/6 NX, Enalapril) apoE-/- mice in Study 2. Each bar denotes the maximal thickness of a leaflet. Masson's trichrome stainings from (G) control, (H) subtotally nephrectomized and (I) subtotally nephrectomized enalapril-treated apoE-/- mice show the presence of blue-colored collagen in the leaflets. Note the massive amount of fibrosis in the nephrectomized untreated mice compared with the mild fibrosis of the nephrectomized enalapril-treated mice. Oil Red O stainings from (J) control, (K) subtotally nephrectomized and (L) subtotally nephrectomized enalapril-treated apoE-/- mice. The red lipid staining is present in the atherosclerotic plaques of the aortic wall, but absent from the valve leaflets. Because luminal acellular and unwashable masses are present in (K), the borders of the leaflet are denoted with black arrowheads. Photographed using 10× (A-F) and 20× (G-L) magnification.

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