A new method for the quantification of aortic calcification by three-dimensional micro-computed tomography

Huesa,C.; Millán,J. L.; van 't Hof,R.  J.; MacRae,V.  E.

doi:10.3892/ijmm.2013.1490

November 2013 Volume 32 Issue 5

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November 2013 Volume 32 Issue 5

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Article

A new method for the quantification of aortic calcification by three-dimensional micro-computed tomography

Authors:
- C. Huesa
- J. L. Millán
- R. J. van 't Hof
- V. E. MacRae
View Affiliations / Copyright

Affiliations: The Roslin Institute and Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies, The University of Edinburgh, Midlothian, Scotland, UK, Sanford Children's Health Research Center, Sanford-Burnham Medical Research Institute, La Jolla, CA, USA, Rheumatic Diseases Unit, Molecular Medicine Centre, Institute of Genetics and Molecular Medicine, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, Scotland, UK
Pages: 1047-1050
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Published online on: September 12, 2013

https://doi.org/10.3892/ijmm.2013.1490
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Abstract

To gain a better understanding of the mechanisms that underpin aortic calcification, rodent models have been previously utilised. Regions of calcium and phosphate deposition are commonly visualised using labor-intensive two-dimensional histomorphometric techniques. In this study, we developed a novel micro-computed tomography (µCT) imaging protocol to quantify calcification in vascular tissues using high resolution three-dimensional (3D) reconstructions of aortae derived from the well-established Ecto-nucleotide pyrophosphatase/phosphodiesterase-1 knockout (Enpp1-/-) mouse model of medial aortic calcification. A dual-contrast method was employed for specimen preparation and the application of corn oil as a submersion medium for the samples during scanning, which allowed the definition and quantification of soft tissue. 3D µCT was utilised to produce reconstructions of calcified and non-calcified aortae. A highly accurate quantification of a standardized region of calcium deposition was undertaken on these reconstructions. An excellent correlation between images obtained from µCT and those obtained with Alizarin red staining, of whole aortae for calcium deposition, was observed. This imaging protocol provides a powerful tool for studying the development of aortic calcification and potential therapeutic approaches for clinical intervention.

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Journals

International Journal of Molecular Medicine

International Journal of Oncology

Molecular Medicine Reports

Oncology Reports

Experimental and Therapeutic Medicine

Oncology Letters

Biomedical Reports

Molecular and Clinical Oncology

World Academy of Sciences Journal

International Journal of Functional Nutrition

International Journal of Epigenetics

Medicine International

A new method for the quantification of aortic calcification by three-dimensional micro-computed tomography

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