XANTHINE OXIDASE EXPRESSION IN ATHEROSCLEROTIC CAROTID PLAQUE IS ASSOCIATED WITH PLAQUE VULNERABILITY AND EXPRESSION OF CD163

Xanthine oxidase (XO) expression in macrophages has been linked to pathogenesis of atherosclerosis. Recent studies have revealed that macrophages with increased expression of hemoglobin-haptoglobin receptor CD163 promote atherosclerotic plaque instability. We hypothesized that enhanced XO expression