PMC

Transmission electron microscopy of endomyocardial biopsy samples demonstrating marked lipofuscin deposition (arrows) in the hearts of MR patients.

Graphs displaying mean arterial pressures (A), LV end-systolic wall stress (B), LV end systolic volume index (C), and LV end systolic stress/end-systolic volume index (D) in normals and pre- and post-surgical MR patients.

Western blot analysis for xanthine oxidoreductase (A) depicts a band at 145kD which represents both XDH and transiently modified XO and bands at 125kD and 85kD which represent permanently modified XO. Densitometry depicting average band intensity normalized to respective calsequestrin loading control (B). *=p<0.05 vs. normal control group.

LV circumferential and longitudinal systolic strain rates (A) are significantly decreased post-MV repair vs. pre-surgery and vs. normal controls. 3-D LV end-systolic (B) radius/wall thickness ratios did not differ between normal and post-surgery groups. RR denotes R to R interval. Graphs displaying LV mass/volume (C) and LV end-diastolic radius/wall thickness demonstrate reversal of eccentric remodeling following MV repair. * = p <0.05 vs. control group. † = p <0.05 vs. pre-MV repair.

Myocardial biopsy findings in controls (n=10) (a,d,g) and MR patients (n=27) demonstrating myofibrillar degeneration (b,c), increased xanthine oxidase (e,f), and increased lipofuscin (h,i). Nitrotyrosine staining in the LV of an MR patient demonstrating increased staining in areas of lipofuscin accumulation (j) and a corresponding image (k) with immunoabsorbed antibody with no uptake of antibody and only autofluorescence of lipofuscin. Scale bar = 20 μm. * = p <0.05 vs. normal control group. Scale bar = 20 μm.