Time-Dependent Alterations in Rat Macrovessels with Type 1 Diabetes
Figure 3
Tunica media characteristics in aorta. (a) The media width was significantly reduced in the diabetic aortas when compared to the control aortas at all three time points (, –165 measurements/group from 6 rats/group). (b) There was no difference in the number of SMC layers until 150 days at which time the diabetic aorta showed a reduction in the number of layers compared to the respective control group () and the other diabetic groups (). Asterisks denote statistical differences between control and diabetic pairs ( = 10–12 measurements/group). (c) The number of SMCs per media layer was assayed with H&E-stained sections. There was a significant increase in the SMC number/layer in the diabetic rat aortas at 50 and 100 days () but returned to control levels at 150 days of diabetes ( = 10–12 measurements/group).
