Fig. 1

Morphometric analysis of extracellular matrix components in the necrotic and salvaged myocardium isolated after 90-min of ischemia without reperfusion. (a) Representative images from control group (left panel) and the necrotic (central panel) and salvaged (right panel) myocardium isolated from the 90-min ischemia without reperfusion group stained with hematoxylin-eosin (HE) (upper panel) and orcein for elastic fibers (upper-middle panel) as well as with the specific marker for laminin (lower-middle panel), and fibronectin (lower panel). The scale bars indicate 50 μm. Morphometric quantification of elastic fibers (b), laminin (c), and fibronectin (d). Images were analyzed with Image-Pro Plus analysis software. The area occupied by elastic fibers, laminin, and fibronectin was increased in the necrotic and salvaged myocardium isolated from the no reperfusion group in comparison to the control myocardium. Data (mean ± SD, n ≥ 5) were analysed by non-paired t-Student’s test. Scoring was performed by a blinded observer unaware of the experimental group. *P < 0.05, **P < 0.01 vs. control