Figure 4.

Representative photomicrographs showing histological features of the pulmonary trunk from sedentary (Sed mdx) and exercised mdx mice with Masson staining. Quantitative analysis (bar graphs) of media wall thickness to lumen ratio of pulmonary arteries. Compared with the control (Sed mdx) group, the media thickness of the pulmonary arteries was markedly increased in the exercised mdx group. The development of medial wall thickening suggests the presence of accentuated diaphragm degeneration in the exercised mdx group compared with controls. The results are expressed as the mean ± SD. *P < 0.05. A, adventitial layer; L, lumen; M, media layer. Scale bar: 1.2 μm.