Figure 4

mRNA levels and percentages of protein signal-areas corresponding to MT1/2 in LV tissues from control, diabetic and TETA-treated diabetic rats. A and B: RT-qPCR analysis of Mt1 and Mt2 mRNA levels. All data are means ± SEM and presented relative to their respective controls, which were set at 1: n = 9/group. C: Representative confocal images of immunofluorescent-stained cross-sections of LV (40 ×-objective) labeled with anti-MT1/2 (red), WGA-Oregon Green 488 for sarcolemmal membrane (green), and DAPI for nuclei (blue). At least five images/section, two sections/animal, and four animals/group were examined: scale bar = 50 μm. D: Quantification of immunofluorescent-labeled myocardial signals areas for MT1/2. Results are means ± SEM and presented as the percentages of corresponding cross-sectional areas. At least five transverse optical sectional images/section, two sections/animal and four animals/group were analyzed: n = 40 sectional images/group: *P < 0.05, **P < 0.01 vs. control.