Figure 2.

Ex vivo calcification of rings isolated from various parts of the abdominal aorta. Abdominal aorta (AA) was divided into four parts according to their location: supraceliac and suprarenal AA located, in the upper and lower part of the celiac trunk respectively (between diaphragm and renal arteries). Infrarenal and suprailiac segments are in the upper and lower part of the portion of AA between left renal artery and aortic bifurcation. (A) Example of von Kossa staining of rings and individual values and mean ± SEM of area stained after 14 days of culture in a calcifying medium containing high phosphate (3.8 mmol L⁻¹) and 15% foetal calf serum. Scale bar = 400 µm, original magnification × 40. (B) Calcium content of the rings (mean ± SEM). (C) Cross sectional area of the rings (mean ± SEM). *p < 0.05 compared to supraceliac; ^†p < 0.05 compared to suprarenal. No difference was found between infrarenal and suprailiac segments.