Platelet inhibition protects the elastic and vascular smooth muscle cell lamina in mouse aortas.

<p><b>A</b>&<b>B</b>. Elastin degradation grading (4 grades) in Ang II-treated and Ang II+clopidogrel-treated mice. P<0.05. <b>C</b>. Representative immunostaining for α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA) in aortic cross-sections. <b>D</b>. Aortas underwent Carstairs staining, in which platelets stain gray blue, fibrin red and collagen blue. Platelet-rich thrombi (PT) are highlighted in Ang II-treated rather than Ang II+clopidogrel-treated mice. <b>E</b>. Elastin van Gieson staining of aortic cross-sections of Ang II-treated and Ang II+clopidogrel-treated mice. Arrows display an area of complete elastic lamina rupture in Ang II-treated mice. Bar = 50 µm.