Severe depletion of ATP and glucose in perinecrotic zone of advanced plaques.

<p>A. Advanced atherosclerotic plaque, delineation in white of viable intima. Extract shows luminal (left) and perinecrotic zone (right) of viable intima. Note high expression of hexokinase II (HKII), indicative of hypoxia, in perinecrotic zone. B and C. Lower concentrations of ATP (B) and glucose (C) in perinecrotic zone (p<0.05). D and E. No significant difference in glycogen (D) and lactate concentrations (E) between luminal and perinecrotic zone. n = 6, paired t-test.</p

Patient characteristics (n = 6).

<p>Patient characteristics (n = 6).</p

Depletion of ATP, glucose and glycogen in advanced human plaques.

<p>A. Energy metabolites were analyzed in intermediate (CCA) and advanced (ICA) segments of human endarterectomies. B. Metabolite concentrations were assessed in the viable part of the intima (delineated), i.e. intimal area minus necrotic core. C, D and E. ATP (C), glucose (D) and glycogen concentrations (E) were lower in advanced segments than in intermediate segments of the same plaque. Note logarithmic scale for ATP and glycogen. F. Lactate concentrations were higher in advanced segments of the plaque. n = 6, Wilcoxon Signed-Rank Test.</p