CASP3 and atherosclerosis: Peri-carotid application of Pluronic gel by itself had no effect on extent of atherosclerosis (data not shown), and BIBP in the gel did not engender cell toxicity, as judged by apoptosis: cleaved caspase-3 levels were 70±20% higher in control than in BIBP-treated carotids (p<0.02, Figure 4D–4E).