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Figure 1 Superoxide Levels Detected With DHE Fluorescence and Lucigenin-Enhanced Chemiluminescence

Superoxide (red fluorescence) in a normal (A) and stenotic (B) aortic valve detected with dihydroethidine (DHE) fluorescence. Superoxide levels were markedly elevated near the calcified (calc) region of the valve and were markedly reduced by the addition of polyethylene glycol superoxide dismutase. Magnified images of noncalcified (non-calc) and calcified regions of a stenotic valve with DHE staining are shown in C and D. (E) Superoxide levels measured with lucigenin-enhanced chemiluminescence in corresponding regions of normal and stenotic valves (n = 14 control valves, n = 20 stenotic valves; *p < 0.05 vs. noncalcified stenotic tissue; #p < 0.05 vs. base and tip of normal valves).