Fig. 2

5-MTP administration reduces atherosclerotic chondrogenesis and calcification. A, B ApoE^−/− mice fed an HFD were received intraperitoneal injection of saline (n = 9), 5-MTP (23.5 mg/kg, n = 8), or 5-MTPE (24.7 mg/kg, n = 8) twice weekly for 12 weeks. A Aortic atherosclerotic lesions were evaluated by en face staining of the entire aorta with Oil Red O. B Oil Red O positive areas were quantified using ImageJ software as a percentage of total aortic area in each section. C Vascular chondrogenesis (upper panel) and vascular calcification (lower panel) in aortic arch tissues from ApoE^−/− mice fed chow diet with intraperitoneal injection of saline or HFD with intraperitoneal injection of saline (n = 5), 5-MTP (23.5 mg/kg, n = 5), or 5-MTPE (24.7 mg/kg, n = 3) twice weekly for 20 weeks were analyzed by Alcian blue staining and ARS, respectively. D Cell chondrogenic differentiation and E vascular calcification were quantified using ImageJ software. The percentage of tissue area with chondrogenesis or calcification was calculated by dividing the chondrogenic or calcified area by the total area of the aortic area, respectively. F Collagen II contents in aorta tissues from ApoE^−/− mice fed chow diet with saline (n = 6) or HFD with saline (n = 6) or L-5-MTP (n = 6) twice weekly for 20 wk were analyzed by immunohistochemistry. Negative control represents staining with a 2nd antibody. G Immunopositive areas in the aorta tissues were quantified as a percentage of the total aortic area in each section. Data in B, D–E, and G represent mean ± SEM. Lu lumen, Neo neo-intima, Med media, An adventitia. P < 0.05, P < 0.01, P < 0.001 determined by a one-way ANOVA