Please click here to obtain permission to reproduce this image.
Click on image to view larger version.
Figure 1 Figure illustrating the experimental design. The study consisted of four separate protocols. In study protocol 1, the effect of NO donor on neointimal thickening was evaluated by histomorphometry at day 14 after balloon injury (n = 28). In study protocol 2, PCNA immunohistochemistry was used to assess DNA synthesis and VSMC proliferation at day 3 after balloon injury (n = 18). Vascular cGMP levels were also measured by radioimmunoassay in protocol 2 (n = 11). In study protocol 3, activation of NF-kappaB, was examined by EMSA and supershift assays at 6 hours after balloon injury (n = 27). Platelet aggregation and bleeding time were also evaluated in some rats in protocols 2 (n = 6) and 3 (n = 5). In study protocol 4, the in vitro release profile of NO form the polymeric delivery system was examined in isolated arteries (n = 3). cGMP = cyclic guanosine monophosphate; EMSA = electrophoretic mobility shift assay; NF-kappaB = nuclear factor kappa B; PCNA = proliferating cell nuclear antigen; SPER/NO = spermine/NO (NO donor); SPER = spermine (vehicle for the NO donor); VSMC = vascular smooth muscle cells.
|
