Fig. 5

Morphometric analysis of ground substance elements from the necrotic and salvaged myocardium isolated one week and one month after coronary reperfusion. (a) Representative images from control group (left panel) and from the necrotic and salvage myocardium isolated from the two reperfused myocardial infarction (MI) groups [90-min ischemia, then one week (middle panel) and one month (right panel) reperfusion], stained with periodic acid–Schiff for glycosaminoglycans (GAG; upper panel) as well as with the specific marker for secreted protein acidic and rich in cysteine (SPARC, upper-middle panel), laminin (lower-middle panel) and fibronectin (lower panel). The scale bars indicate 50 μm. Morphometric quantification of GAG (b), SPARC (c), laminin (d), and fibronectin (e). Images were analyzed with Image-Pro Plus analysis software. The area occupied by GAG, SPARC, laminin and fibronectin was increased in the necrotic, but not in the salvaged, myocardium from reperfused MI groups in comparison to the control myocardium. 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