Raman spectroscopy imaging reveals interplay between atherosclerosis and medial calcification in the human aorta

摘要: Medial calcification in the human aorta accumulates during aging and is known to be aggravated several diseases. Atherosclerosis, another major cause of cardiovascular calcification, shares some common aggravators. However, mechanisms remain poorly understood. To elucidate relationship between medial aortic atherosclerosis, we characterized cross-sectional distributions predominant minerals tissue, apatite whitlockite, associated extracellular matrix. We also compared cellular changes atherosclerotic nonatherosclerotic tissues. This was achieved through development Raman spectroscopy imaging methods that adapted algorithms distinguish biomolecules present within these a apatite, cholesterol, triglyceride with relative amount all molecules concurrently increased plaque. Further, increase disproportionately large relation whitlockite media directly underlying plaque, indicating more pathologically significant atherosclerosis-aggravated calcification. discovered reduction β-carotene whole intima, including plaque tissues unprecedented biomolecular characterization tissue furthers our understanding pathological physiological events humans.