Student Presenter(s): Xin (Cindy) Lin and Daniel Kalta
Faculty Mentor: Olga V. Savinova
School/College: Osteopathic Medicine, Old Westbury

Atherosclerosis is a cardiovascular disease caused by cholesterol plaque accumulation, which can lead to cardiovascular mortality and morbidity. Calcification is a condition that can occur within vascular plaques and may increase the risk of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease events. The effect of vascular calcification in atherosclerotic plaque is not fully understood. To better understand the mechanism of the reversal of atherosclerosis and plaque calcification on cardiovascular physiology, mouse strains with low-density lipoprotein receptor mutation (ldlr, wicked high cholesterol (WHC)), that genetically predisposed the mice to atherosclerotic calcification, and overexpression of tissue-nonspecific alkaline phosphatase (TNAP) in macrophages were utilized. Male mice were induced with atherosclerosis through a western diet and were then switched to a normal diet for the reversal. Cardiac structure parameters were measured using echocardiography and computer tomography (CT) data was obtained to measure the aortic diameter and calcification. The results showed that the reversal of atherosclerosis increased ascending aortic and aortic root diameter, regardless of genotype, and a significant increase in calcification of the aortic root and arch was observed during the reversal process. Calcification was associated with adverse remodeling of the aortic root, leading to dilation of the aortic root diameter.