Fig. 2

The distribution of VSMCs and ECM in blood vessel wall is changed by stenosis operation and NPs administration in the stenosis area. A IHC staining for α-SMA of carotid artery longitudinal sections after stenosis operation and PLGA NPs treatment (n = 4, scale bars, 50 µm). B Masson’s trichrome (MASSON) staining (upper), collagen fiber (red), muscle fiber (blue); MOVAT staining (middle), collagen fiber (black), muscle fiber (red); EVG Staining of carotid artery longitudinal sections (lower) (scale bars, 500 µm; 50 µm); elastic fiber (black/purple); muscle fiber (red); A: Adventitia; M: Media; and I: Intima; SO: stenosis operation. CThe quantification of α-SMA expression (n = 4). Quantification of D collagen of MASSON staining, E collagen percentage of MOVAT staining and F elastin integrity of EVG staining, *p < 0.05; **p < 0.01; ***p < 0.001 (n = 5)