Figure 3

Average number of single-stranded DNA-positive cells, active caspase-3-positive cells, and TUNEL-positive cells per view-field in the intima in the five groups (mean±s.d.). The average number of single-stranded DNA (F7-26)-positive cells per view-field: Group I; 0.08±0.12, Group II; 0.26±0.23, Group III; 0.47±0.38, Group IV; 1.00±1.00, and Group V; 0.10±0.03. The average number of active caspase-3-positive cells per view-field: Group I; 0.12±0.14, Group II; 0.31±0.41, Group III; 0.43±0.46, Group IV; 0.68±0.53, and Group V; 0.15±0.13. The average number of TUNEL-positive cells per view-field: Group I; 0.00±0.00, Group II; 0.03±0.03, Group III; 0.09±0.20, Group IV; 0.50±0.59, and Group V; 0.09±0.13. In Group IV, the number of single-stranded DNA-positive cells is significantly greater than that in Groups I and V, and the number of TUNEL-positive cells is also significantly greater than that in the other groups. The number of single-stranded DNA-positive cells was greater than that of TUNEL-positive cells in the five groups. The average number of active caspase-3-positive cells in Group IV is greater than Group I and V. The change in the average number of single-stranded DNA-positive cells with the progression of atherosclerosis shows the same tendency as that of TUNEL-positive cells and active caspase-3-positive cells. Group I; normal, diffuse intimal thickening, and initial lesion, Group II; fatty streak, Group III; preatheroma, Group IV; atheroma, Group V; fibroatheroma and complicated lesions. ^**P<0.01, ^*P<0.05.