ABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE@#To compare protein levels of pro-inflammatory factors and bone formation mediators in the fibrous cap and shoulder region of non-calcified and calcified carotid endarterectomy (CEA) plaques.@*METHODS@#Twenty-two CEA plaques were classified as non-calcified and calcified groups (n=11 each) in accordance with the American Heart Association (AHA) consensus in 1995. To make frozen sections and H&E staining using plaque, the mean percent of carotid stenosis and calcification area was determined by quantitative histomorphometry. The protein levels of pro-inflammatory interleukin-8 (IL-8), monocyte chematactic protein-1 (MCP-1), bone formation mediators bone morphogenetic protein-6 (BMP-6), and osteocalcin in the fibrous cap and shoulder region of plaques were determined by western blot and were quantified using ImageJ software.@*RESULTS@#MCP-1 and IL-8 protein were 1.3 (P>0.05) and 1.5 (P0.05) and 2.1 (P<0.01) folds greater in the calcified plaques compared with those of the non-calcified plaques.@*CONCLUSION@#Inflammation is more likely to occur in non-calcified carotid plaques, and calcification in the plaques may be associated with bone formation, which indicates that decreased inflammation may be the beginning of calcification in carotid atherosclerotic plaques.