Figure 4.
Resistance to tearing as determined by suture pullout test for Fresh, GLUT, or TRI treated leaflets subjected to no enzymatic treatment, GAGase, or elastase (6 groups, n = 8 for each group). (A) Peak stress required to cause tearing. (B – G) alcian blue staining on Fresh, GLUT, or TRI treated leaflets subjected to no enzymatic treatment or GAGase. GAGs are stained blue and nuclei are counterstained red. (H – M) Movat’s pentachrome staining on Fresh, GLUT, or TRI treated leaflets subjected to no enzymatic treatment or elastase. Collagen and elastin are stained yellow and black, respectively. *Indicates significant difference.
