Figure 3
Loss of small arteriolar resistance vessels in the diabetic myocardium is prevented with T3 treatment. Values represent means (SD). (A) Representative images of small arteriolar resistance vessels used for arteriolar numeric (ND) and length density (LD) quantification (scale bar = 50 µm). (B) Representative images of myocardial capillaries used for capillary numeric density and length quantification (scale bar = 20 µm). (C) Arteriolar ND, arteriolar numeric density quantification. (D) Arteriolar LD, arteriolar length density quantification. (E) Capillary ND & Length, capillary numeric density and length quantification. Arteriolar ND, arteriolar LD, capillary ND, capillary length were calculated using previously described methods (34). (F) Absolute gene expression of cardiac regulators of vascular function. n = 5–8/group; IB4, Isolectin-B4; α-SMA, α-smooth muscle actin; TR-β, thyroid receptor β; VEGF-A, vascular endothelial growth factor A; eNOS, endothelial nitric oxide synthase; bFGF; basic fibroblast growth factor; MdK midkine; HIF1α, hypoxia inducible factor 1-α; SMO, smoothened homolog (Drosophila); Angpt2, angiopoietin-2; *p < 0.05 versus control; p < 0.05 versus STZ/N.