Age-dependent changes in arterial compliance and cardiac function in
Apoe−/−
and
Apoe−/−/p47phox−/−
mice. (A) Aortic PWV was recorded using a 20 MHz pulsed Doppler probe at the levels of the aortic arch and the abdominal aorta. Data were analyzed using the Indus Instruments Doppler Signal Processing Workstation and are presented as mean±SEM (n=15). (B) Systolic blood pressure was measured in conscious mice using the volume–pressure recording system (CODA 6; Kent Scientific). Data are presented as mean±SEM (n=15). Echocardiography was performed with an Ultrasound biomicroscope (Vevo 660 equipped with 30 MHz probe; VisualSonics, Inc.). Ultrasound images of the left ventricle were acquired at long axis using M-mode. LVEF (C), LVEDV (D), LVPWT (E), and calculated LV mass (F) are presented as mean±SEM (n=15). LV mass, left ventricle mass; LVEDV, left ventricle end-diastolic volume; LVEF, left ventricle ejection fraction; LVPWT, left ventricle posterior wall thickness; NS, not significant; PWV, pulse wave velocity.