QUANTITATIVE IMAGE-ANALYSIS OF CELL-PROLIFERATION AFTER BALLOON CATHETER INJURY IN THE RABBIT CAROTID-ARTERY

OBJECTIVE: To perform color image analysis to assess the course of mor phometric and proliferative changes in the intima and media of rabbit carotid arteries following balloon injury. STUDY DESIGN: Proliferating smooth muscle cells were labeled with proliferating cell nuclear anti gen and vizualized by immunohistochemical staining of histologic secti ons. Morphometry was performed on histologic cross-sections of injured arteries stained with hematoxylin. RESULTS: The development of intima l hyperplasia following an acute mechanical injury was detectable earl y on and was accompanied by a burst of cell proliferation. Medial cell proliferation peaked on day 3 after balloon injury, and the maximum o f intimal cell proliferation was noted on day 7. CONCLUSION: The color image analysis method described here could be a useful tool in evalua ting drugs for their ability to prevent restenosis.