Immunohistochemical staining of plaque components in three groups of rabbits.

<p>Panel A and B depict the H&E staining of the abdominal aortic cross-section in a rabbit of the control group, showing an intraluminal thrombus attached to a disrupted plaque (Bars = 100 µm). Panel C show dense α-actin of smooth muscle cells in the doxycycline-treated group (Group D) and simvastatin-treated group (Group S) and sparse α-actin of smooth muscle cells in the Control group. Sirius-red staining illustrates abundant collagen in Group D and Group S and less collagen in the Control group. RAM 11 staining demonstrates few macrophages in Group D and Group S and ample macrophages in the Control group. Oil-red O staining shows a small, moderate and large amount of lipids in Group S, Group D, and Control group, respectively. (Bars = 100 µm) Group D: doxycycline-treated group; Group S: simvastatin-treated group; Control: control group. *<i>P</i><0.05 vs. Control group; *^#<i>P</i><0.05 vs. Control group and <i>P</i><0.05 vs. Group S.