Figure 2. Dicer deletion in the adult heart leads to oxidative stress.

(A) Representative EPR imaging of nitroxide radical decay in (A) Dicer^+/+ and (B) Dicer^−/− hearts. (B) Time course of average % signal change in the region of interest (ROI). Logarithmic values of signal change (normalized to the initial signal at time = 0) in the ROIs are plotted with respect to time. Decay rate constants were obtained from the slope of linear decay after peak. Line with black circles represent Dicer^+/+ and line with grey circles represent Dicer^−/−. (C) Bar-graph showing the measured rate constants of nitroxide reduction in the tissues. (D) Thiobarbituric acid–reactive substances (TBARS), an indicator of lipid peroxidation was measured from Dicer^+/+ and Dicer^−/− hearts and was significantly higher in the later. (E) Total GSSG to GSH ratio in Dicer^+/+ mice heart compared to Dicer^−/− heart. (F) Lactate levels measured in Dicer^+/+ and Dicer^−/− mice hearts.