Entelon150® (Vitis vinifera Seed Extract) Attenuates Degenerative Changes in Intravascular Valve Prostheses in Rabbits

Figures

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  Figure 1. Surgical images of intravascular BHV implantation. (A) Bovine pericardium BHV fixed to the inner wall of the vein. (B) Vascular incision site being sutured and confirmed blood flow. BHV = bioprosthetic heart valve.

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  Figure 2. Schematic diagram of the anatomy of New Zealand white rabbit jugular vein.

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  Figure 3. Calcium concentration in the implanted BHV tissue in each group. Calcium levels were measured 6 weeks after implantation. The calcium levels in the control group were significantly higher than those in the Entelon, losartan, and rosuvastatin groups. Data are presented as mean±standard deviation. BHV = bioprosthetic heart valve.

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  Figure 4. Effects of Entelon150, losartan, and rosuvastatin on inflammatory cell infiltration Compared to the control group, the Entelon-, losartan-, and rosuvastatin-treated groups displayed less infiltration of inflammatory cells (giant cells, macrophages, heterophils, and lymphocytes) into the tissue surrounding the implanted BHV and within the fibers of the implanted BHV; however, no statistically significant difference was found. An intravenous bovine pericardial implant (asterisk) was detected in the microscopic images. 40× scale bar indicates 50 µm. 200× scale bar indicates 100 µm. BHV = bioprosthetic heart valve.

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  Figure 5. Effects of each drugs on the expression of calcific, inflammatory, and myofibroblastic markers. Data are presented as mean±standard deviation. 400× scale bar indicates 50 µm. α-SMA = alpha smooth muscle actin; AIIR = angiotensin II type 1 receptor; BMP2 = bone morphogenic protein 2.

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  Figure 6. Effects of each drug on the calcific and inflammatory protein expression. Data are reported as mean±standard deviation. BMP2 = bone morphogenic protein 2; IL-6 = interleukin-6; OPN = osteopontin.