Characterization of human-like, complicated atherosclerotic phenotypes in the well-established porcine model of diabetes-accelerated atherosclerosis.

<p>Histopathologic characteristics of early/intermediate lesions and advanced plaques in diabetic and atherosclerotic pigs. Representative H&E staining (<b>A</b>) and Oil Red O staining (<b>B</b>) of aortic sections of control pigs (<b>a,b</b>, <b>i</b> and <b>j</b>) and diabetic, atherosclerotic pigs (<b>c–h</b> and <b>k–o</b>) are shown (scale bars, 100 µm). H&E-staining (<b>d–h</b>) showed a human-like fibroatheroma with a fibrous cap at the shoulder and a necrotic lipid core at the base of lesion (L = lumen, FC = fibrous cap, NC = necrotic lipid core, and M = media). Note the clear space (yellow arrow) which represents an area of cholesterol crystals removed during tissue processing (<b>e</b>) and smooth muscle cell migration from the media to the intima (green arrow) (<b>g</b>). The advanced plaques have necrotic lipid cores containing large numbers of cholesterol crystals (<b>m</b>, <b>n</b> and <b>o</b>).