Figure 1. Altered expression of extracellular matrix genes in early diabetic atherogenesis.

ApoE null mice at 6 to 8 weeks of age received either low-dose streptozotocin (50 mg·kg⁻¹) or Na-Citrate buffer injections. After 6 weeks of diabetes, the aorta was harvested and analyzed by qRT-PCR for gene expression of inflammatory and matrix-related genes. Gene expression was normalized to housekeeping genes and to nondiabetic controls. n = 4 mice per condition. * p < 0.05.