Figure 1. Experimental protocol.

A peripheral venous catheter was inserted in the cubital fossa of subject for blood sampling. The subject rested for 14 min reclined on a bench before the baseline sample was drawn. The blood pressure cuff was inflated to 200 mmHg for 5 min before being released. Blood samples were drawn at 1 and 4 min into reperfusion from the ipsilateral arm. Blood samples were centrifuged to collect plasma which was stored at −80°C. Before analysis, all six reperfusion samples were pooled for each subject.