Figure 9.

Microcirculatory measurements with side stream dark-field (SDF)-imaging in the jejunal villi. (A) The total number of perfused vessels measured with SDF-imaging in the jejunal villi was significantly decreased in arginase-treated mice compared to the control and after l-citrulline supplementation in arginase-treated mice. (B) The number of perfused vessels per villus was in line with the total number of perfused vessels, as arginase-treated mice exhibited significantly less perfused vessels per villus compared to control mice. l-citrulline supplementation in arginase-treated mice resulted in an increased number of perfused vessels per villus, whereas l-arginine supplementation did not result in an increased in the number of perfused vessels per villus. (C) The microvascular flow index (MFI) was significantly reduced in the arginase- and arginase + arginine-supplemented animals compared to the control and citrulline-treated animals during basal and arginase + citrulline treatment. Significance: ^a p < 0.05 vs. control; ^b p < 0.05 vs. arginine; ^c p < 0.05 vs. arginine + arginase; ^d p < 0.05 vs. citrulline + arginase.