Figure 5

BCAAem treatment increases the number of CD31+ vessels in the muscles of mdx mice. Cryosections of VM (a) and TA (b) muscle tissues of BCAAem-treated and untreated male and female C57BL6/J, mdx and eNOS^−/− mice were analysed by immunofluorescence staining for CD31 and laminin (5 males and 5 females for each experimental group). Nuclei were stained with DAPI. Analysis of the VM and TA muscles of BCAAem-treated male and female mdx mice demonstrates an increase in the number of CD31+ vessels per fibre and per section. Scale bar, 100 µm. Quantification of CD31+ vessels per fibre and per section of VM (c) and TA (d) is shown. All data are presented as the mean ± s.e.m. Statistical error analysis was performed by one-way ANOVA with Bonferroni correction; *p < 0.05, **p < 0.01, ***p < 0.001, and ****p < 0.0001 indicate significant differences from the untreated group.