Expression of Both Matrix Metalloproteinase-2 and Its Tissue Inhibitor-2 in Tunica Media of Radial Artery in Uremic Patients

Figures & data

Figure 1.  Hematoxylin and eosin staining of the radial artery.

Notes: The calcification was located in the tunica media. The calcificated endangium was basically complete, and the thickening of tunica media can be seen and was significantly correlated with the increase of calcification. The differences among noncalcification, mild to moderate calcification, and severe calcification groups were statistically significant (p < 0.05).

Table 1.  Thickness of tunica media in radial artery and IOD values for immunohistochemical staining (n = 80, x ± s).

Group	Noncalcification group (n = 43)	Mild calcification group (n = 26)	Severe calcification group (n = 11)
MMP-2	22.06 ± 3.08^a^b	27.82 ± 3.48^c	29.48 ± 3.77
TIMP-2	20.03 ± 3.11^a^b	26.49 ± 3.83^c	30.22 ± 2.09
OPG	21.43 ± 2.95^a^b	24.53 ± 3.13^c	27.33 ± 3.73
OPN	16.27 ± 2.05^a^b	22.15 ± 2.90^c	25.42 ± 3.41
Thickness of tunica media (cm)	0.43 ± 0.07^a^b	0.53 ± 0.06^c	0.59 ± 0.04

Notes: ^aThe noncalcification group versus the mild calcification group, p < 0.05.

^bThe noncalcification group versus the severe calcification group, p < 0.05.

^cThe mild to moderate calcification group versus the severe calcification group, p < 0.05.

Figure 2.  Alizarin red staining of radial artery.Note: The purple or orange-red calcium deposits can be seen in the calcificated tunica media.

Figure 3.  Immunohistochemical staining of radial artery.Notes: The expression of MMP-2, TIMP-2, OPG, and OPN can be seen in the ×400 calcificated radial artery. The expression increased with the deepening of the degree of vascular calcification, with statistically significance (p < 0.05).