Fig. 3

Morphometric analysis of extracellular matrix fibers from the necrotic and salvaged myocardium isolated at one week and one month after coronary reperfusion. (a) Representative images from control group (left panel) and from necrotic and salvaged myocardium isolated from the two reperfused myocardial infarction (MI) groups [90-min ischemia followed by 1-week (middle panel) and 1-month (right panel) reperfusion] stained with hematoxylin-eosin (HE) (upper panel), Masson’s trichrome (upper-middle panel), Gomori’s reticulin (lower-middle panel) and orcein for elastic fibers (lower panel). The scale bars indicate 50 μm. Morphometric quantification of collagen type I (b), collagen type III (c) and elastic fibers (d). Images were analyzed with Image-Pro Plus analysis software in a blinded fashion. The area occupied by collagen type I, collagen type III and elastic fibers was greater in the necrotic, but not in the salvaged, myocardium from both reperfused MI model in comparison to control tissue. Data (mean ± SD, n ≥ 5) were analysed by one-way ANOVA followed by Bonferroni test. Scoring was performed by a blinded observer unaware of the experimental group. *P < 0.05, **P < 0.01 vs. control