The use of digital imaging technology to assess the pathogenesis of coronary atherosclerosis: the role of elastin.
Heart disease is directly associated with aging as well as progression of atherosclerosis. The vessels begin to stiffen with age. It is speculated that the increase in stiffness can occur as a result of either increase progression of atherosclerosis or possibly due to the deterioration of the elastic components of the arterial wall. Regardless of the mechanism, an increase in vessel stiffness can lead to significant increase in the pathophysiological progression of the disease. The overall objectives of this investigation were to evaluate the coronary artery obtained from cadavers in their 7th, 8th and 9th of life and characterized the level of atherosclerosis and to identify using special elastin staining techniques the involvement of fiber disruption in atherosclerosis. The coronary arteries were obtained from cadaveric donors at the University of Saskatoon (average age 81.7 years, range 77-92 years of age). The arteries were fixed, sectioned and stained for routine analysis as well as with an Elastin staining protocol. The arteries were screened and the level of atherosclerosis was measured as well as thickness changes within the arteries. Digital imaging was used to capture the areas of elastin disruption. The overall results suggest elastin disruption occurs as the atherosclerotic plaque progresses. The imaging system in conjunction with elastin staining allows for a very sensitive method to analyze the tissue for the progression of pathophysiological disease mechanisms.
University of Saskatoon.
Adel
A
Mohamed
Hamed
H
Benghuzzi
D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000375:Aging / Q000473:pathology*; D001158:Arteries / Q000503:physiopathology; D002102:Cadaver; D003324:Coronary Artery Disease / Q000473:pathology* / Q000503:physiopathology*; D003331:Coronary Vessels / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology; D004549:Elastin / Q000648:ultrastructure*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007089:Image Enhancement / Q000379:methods*; D008297:Male; D008853:Microscopy / Q000379:methods
D004549:Elastin