*4.6. Histomorphometric Analysis*

Histological sections were digitized and measurements performed using ImageJ software (NIH). Cross-sectional area measurements included the external elastic lamina (EEL), internal elastic lamina (IEL), and lumen area of each section. Using these measurements, the medial area, neointimal area and percent area stenosis were calculated as previously described [46,47].

Morphological analysis was performed by light microscopy using a grading criterion as previously published [46,47]. The parameters assessed included intimal healing as judged by injury, endothelial cell loss and inflammation. The medial wall was also assessed for drug-induced biological effect, specifically looking at smooth muscle cell loss. These parameters were semi-quantified using a scoring a system of 0 (none), 1 (minimal), 2 (mild), 3 (moderate) and 4 (severe) as previously described [47].
