Combined orcein and martius scarlet blue (OMSB) staining for qualitative and quantitative analyses of atherosclerotic plaques in brachiocephalic arteries in apoE/LDLR

Numerous cellular and extracellular components should be analyzed in sections of atherosclerotic plaques to assess atherosclerosis progression and vulnerability. Here, we combined orcein (O) staining for elastic fibers and martius scarlet blue (MSB) polychrome to visualize various morphological contents of plaque in brachiocephalic arteries (BCA) of apoE/LDLR