Figure 1.

Cx43 expression under baseline conditions, assessed by conventional Western blot, in hearts from the four experimental groups. Mitochondrial complex II (OxPhos CII) was used as loading control (A). Effects of transient coronary occlusion on scar area (B), collagen volume fraction in distant myocardium (C) and body weight (D) in Cx43^fl/fl and Cx43^Cre-ER(T)/fl mice treated with oil or 4-OHT, and submitted to 45 min of left anterior descending coronary artery (LAD) occlusion followed by 14 days of reperfusion. Statistical analysis was performed by two-way ANOVA or repeated measures ANOVA, as depicted. * (p < 0.05) indicates significant differences between both genotypes (ANOVA and Tukey tests).