Fig. 6.

Experimental protocol for experiments of critical limb ischemia (CLI) in obese OS. A: obese OS were subjected to CLI for 35 days. Sustained-release sodium nitrite (SR-nitrite; 80 mg po bid) or placebo therapy was initiated at 14 days after CLI injury. On day 35 after CLI, myocardial tissues were collected to evaluate eNOS functionality, NO bioavailability, and oxidative stress after CLI. In addition, epicardial coronary artery segments were harvested, and in vitro coronary vascular reactivity was evaluated. We also investigated the effect of CLI in obese OS on systemic blood pressure. B: AM and PM averages of mean arterial blood pressure (MABP). Values are means ± SE. *P < 0.05 vs. the CLI + placebo-treated group. ***P < 0.001 vs. the CLI + placebo-treated group.