Microvette 500 k3e tubes

Blood was collected into Microvette 500 K3E tubes (Sarstedt). Complete blood counts were measured with a Hemavet 950 veterinary hematology analyzer (Drew Scientific).

Blood samples were collected in EDTA-coated Microvette 500 K3E tubes (Sarstedt), and blood count was performed on the ADVIA 120 system (Siemens) to determine platelet, erythrocyte, and leukocyte numbers, as well as hemoglobin and hematocrit levels. For the bleeding tests, 4-month-old mice were anesthetized by intraperitoneal injection of ketamine/xylazine (25 km/kg/10 mg/kg). Bleeding was induced by a 3 mm tail-tip transection and monitored until cessation. The test was terminated after 30 minutes if blood flow continued.
Plasma was collected in heparin-coated tubes (Sarstedt), and CK levels were determined using the OLYMPUS AU-480 automated laboratory work station (Beckman Coulter) with adapted kits and controls. The circulating myostatin levels in murine and human plasma samples were assessed with the GDF-8 Quantikine ELISA kit (R&D Systems) according to the manufacturer’s instructions. The myostatin concentration was normalized using the DC Protein Assay kit (Bio-Rad Laboratories).

Blood from the submandibular vein was collected after 4 h of fasting and 15 min after an oral gavage of Ensure® (12.4 kcal/kg of body weight) in Microvette® 500 K3E tubes (Sarstedt) containing inhibitors of DPPIV and serine proteases (Pefabloc) (Sigma). Blood was immediately centrifuged and plasma was stored at −80 °C until hormone measurement.