Fig. 2.

Results of in vivo rat experiments after 6 weeks. a Hearts of apoptotic cell injected animals explanted 6 weeks after LAD ligation evidence less myocardial damage compared to controls. Hearts from medium or viable cell injected animals appear more dilated and show a greater extension of fibrotic tissue. b Statistical analysis of data obtained from planimetric evaluation of specimens collected 6 weeks after LAD ligation shows a mean scar extension of 25% in medium injected controls, 14% in viable cell injected animals compared to 6% (IV) and 8% (IM) in rats treated with apoptotic PBMC. c–e Results obtained by echocardiography 6 weeks after AMI (shortening fraction; left ventricular enddiastolic diameter, LVEDD; left ventricular endsystolic diameter, LVESD). Functional parameters were improved in comparison to medium or viable cell injected animals