Effect of the Lipoxygenase Inhibitor Baicalein on Muscles in Ovariectomized Rats

Figure 5

Diameter and area of M. gastrocnemius fibre types I and IIa and their relation to muscle and body weights. The diameter of single type I fibres was significantly greater in the baicalein C2 and baicalein C3 groups compared with the NON-OVX group ((a), ). Type IIa fibres showed a greater diameter in the baicalein C2 group compared with the NON-OVX group ((b), ). The area of type I muscle fibres was significantly greater in the baicalein C2 group and the baicalein C3 group versus the NON-OVX group ((c), ), whereas the area of type IIa muscle fibres was significantly greater in the baicalein C2 group versus the NON-OVX group ((d), ). No significant differences were noted in the fibre to body weight ratio in type I fibres of M. gastrocnemius ((e), ). No significant differences in type I fibre diameter in relation to muscle weight could be detected ((f), ). The only significant difference regarding the area to body weight ratio was between the baicalein C2 group and the OVX group, where the former had the greater area to body weight ratio ((g), ). Baicalein C3-treated rats had a significantly higher muscle fibre area to muscle weight than the NON-OVX, OVX, and baicalein C1-treated rats ((h), ). For type IIa fibres, significant differences in area to single muscle weight index were noted between the NON-OVX group and baicalein C3 group and between OVX group and the baicalein C3 group as in baicalein C1 group and baicalein C3 group ((i), ). For type IIb fibres, no differences in area to single muscle weight index were recorded ((j), ). and indicate significant difference.

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