The Involvement of Notch1-RBP-Jk/Msx2 Signaling Pathway in Aortic Calcification of Diabetic Nephropathy Rats

Figure 3

Histological analysis of aortic calcification with von Kossa staining. The von Kossa staining of aortic tissues from normal rats and DN + VDN rats. No deposition of calcium salts was observed in aortic tissues of normal rats at 8 (a) and 16 weeks (b). In contrast, rats in the DN + VDN group exhibited scattered, punctated deposition of calcium salts in the form of dark brown granules interspersed with the elastic fibers in arterial intima-media at the end of the 8th week (c); and a large quantity of aggregated deposits of calcium salts in vascular wall at the end of the 12th week (d); and finally formed a wide area of confluent calcification plaque at the end of the 16th week (e). (f) rats in the DN + VDN group had significantly higher vascular calcification scores than those of normal rats at 8, 12, and 16 weeks (). Data presented as mean ± standard deviation (SD). Nor group: normal controls; DN + VDN group: diabetic nephropathy rats with vitamin D3/nicotine-induced vascular calcification.

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