Quantitative image analysis of cell proliferation after balloon catheter injury in the rabbit carotid artery.
OBJECTIVE
To perform color image analysis to assess the course of morphometric and proliferative changes in the intima and media of rabbit carotid arteries following balloon injury.


METHODS
Proliferating smooth muscle cells were labeled with proliferating cell nuclear antigen and vizualized by immunohistochemical staining of histologic sections. Morphometry was performed on histologic cross-sections of injured arteries stained with hematoxylin.


RESULTS
The development of intimal hyperplasia following an acute mechanical injury was detectable early on and was accompanied by a burst of cell proliferation. Medial cell proliferation peaked on day 3 after balloon injury, and the maximum of intimal cell proliferation was noted on day 7.


CONCLUSIONS
The color image analysis method described here could be a useful tool in evaluating drugs for their ability to prevent restenosis.
Robert
C
C
Centre de recherche, Laboratoires Fournier, Daix, France.
Fouchet
C
C
Vergely
C
C
Pruneau
D
D
Bélichard
P
P
D000818:Animals; D002339:Carotid Arteries / Q000473:pathology*; D020212:Carotid Artery Injuries; D002404:Catheterization / Q000379:methods*; D002455:Cell Division; D007091:Image Processing, Computer-Assisted; D008297:Male; D009130:Muscle, Smooth / Q000473:pathology*; D011817:Rabbits; D017539:Tunica Intima / Q000473:pathology*