Type 1 diabetes was induced by intraperitoneal injections of streptozotocin (Sangon Biotech, Shanghai, China). Male C57/B6 mice (4–6 weeks of age) received an injection of citrate buffer (4.92 mol/ml sodium citrate, pH 4.2–4.5) or streptozotocin (50 mg/kg) dissolved in sterile citrate buffer for 5 days consecutively. The blood glucose level was measured 7, 14, and 21 days after the injection. Mice with a blood glucose level > 12.0 mmol/L were considered diabetic and selected for experiments.
Three weeks after diabetes induction, all nondiabetic and diabetic mice received unilateral hindlimb artery devascularization. Mice aged 6–8 weeks were anesthetized with 160 mg/kg pentobarbital by intraperitoneal injection. During the operation, the superficial and deep femoral vessel, the common femoral vessel and its abdominal branches were ligated and excised to generate hindlimb ischemia as described previously [15 (link)]. The right femoral artery was exposed but not dissected to serve as the nonischemic control.
Three weeks after diabetes induction, all nondiabetic and diabetic mice received unilateral hindlimb artery devascularization. Mice aged 6–8 weeks were anesthetized with 160 mg/kg pentobarbital by intraperitoneal injection. During the operation, the superficial and deep femoral vessel, the common femoral vessel and its abdominal branches were ligated and excised to generate hindlimb ischemia as described previously [15 (link)]. The right femoral artery was exposed but not dissected to serve as the nonischemic control.