Figure 1.

Treatment protocol of mice to study the effects of hypoxia and NO bioavailability on sRBC adhesion. Control and eNOS-deficient mice were treated with 4 different procedures (I-IV). The numbers of mice used for the treatments were as follows: I, 5 control mice and 5 eNOS-deficient mice; II, 5 control mice and 7 eNOS-deficient mice; III, 7 eNOS-deficient mice; and IV, 4 eNOS-deficient mice. A bolus of 2,7-bis-(carboxyethyl)-5-(and-6) carboxyfluorescein (BCECF)-labeled RBCs was injected into the mice, and 3 minutes later, the recording of microcirculation images was initiated and completed by analyzing 4 1-minute video segments. Fio₂ indicates fraction of inspired oxygen in a gas mixture.