Fig. 3

The anti-restenotic effects of liraglutide are mediated by nitric oxide (NO). Wild-type mice were treated with vehicle or liraglutide, with or without the NO synthase (NOS) inhibitor l-NAME. Femoral arteries were collected 26 days after arterial injury. Morphometric changes were evaluated by EVG staining. Cell proliferation and density were assessed by Ki-67 immunostaining and counterstaining. Proliferating cells were defined as cells positive for Ki-67; a representative images of cross-sections of femoral arteries (EVG, 200 ×); b neointimal area; c medial area; d, arterial perimeter; e intima to media (I/M) ratio; f representative images of injured arteries showing Ki-67 immunostaining (200 ×); g, h percentage of Ki-67-positive cells to total cells in the neointima and media; i, j, cell density in the neointima and media. The averages of three serial cross-sections were used as single data points. Arrows indicate the neointima, and arrowheads indicate Ki-67-positive cells; liraglutide, 17 nmol/kg/day; l-NAME, 20 mg/kg/day; n = 5 per group; *p < 0.05