Figure 2.

The changes of Cu concentrations in the heart and serum. AAS was used to determine Cu concentrations at different time points after LAD ligation. (a) Cu concentrations decreased in the ischemic myocardium at the fourth day after ischemia, and further gradually decreased and reached to the lowest level at the 14th day, which level was sustained to the end of the observation (a total of 28 days). (b) Serum Cu levels were increased at the fourth day after myocardial ischemia, and rose to the peak between seventh and 10th day, and then gradually declined and returned to the normal level at the 21st day. Data were presented as mean ± SD. *P < 0.01, versus sham control, n = 3–5. IA: ischemic area; RA: remote area. (A color version of this figure is available in the online journal.)