颈动脉粥样硬化斑块炎性和成骨因子的表达及意义

目的：比较未钙化与钙化颈动脉粥样硬化斑块纤维帽及周边区域炎性和成骨因子的蛋白表达水平。方法：依据1995年美国心脏协会的协议将22例行颈动脉内膜切除术（carotid endarterectomy，CEA）的斑块分为未钙化和钙化组（n=11）。制作冰冻组织切片H＆E染色后定量测量各斑块颈动脉狭窄和钙化的面积，采用Western免疫印迹技术检测斑块的纤维帽和周边区域组织的炎性因子白细胞介素-8（1L-8）和单核细胞趋化因子-1（MCP-1）及成骨因子骨形成蛋白-6（BMP-6）和骨钙素（osteocalcin）的蛋白表达水平，并用ImageJ软件作定量分析。结果：未钙化斑块中炎性因子MCP-1和IL-8蛋白表达分别为钙化斑块的1．3（P〉0．05）和1．5倍（P〈0．05）。钙化斑块的成骨因子BMP-6和osteocalcin蛋白表达分别为未钙化斑块的1．3（P〉0．05）和2．1倍（P〈0．01）。结论：炎症反应更多见于未钙化的颈动脉粥样硬化斑块，而斑块的钙化与成骨过程相关，提示颈动脉粥样硬化斑块炎症的好转可能是钙化发生的开端。

Expression and significance of inflammatory factors and bone formation mediators in carotid atherosclerotic plaque

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 (P<0.05) folds greater in the non-calcified plaques than those in the calcified plaques. BMP-6 and osteocalcin protein were 1.3 (P>0.05) 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.