TERT−/− rats (6 males and 7 females) and their counterpart littermates, WT (6 males and 6 females), were subjected to noninvasive two-dimensional echocardiography as previously described (40 (link), 41 (link)). Briefly, on the day of the experiment, rats were anesthetized (1–2% isoflurane), and baseline echocardiograms were recorded using a General Electric Vivid 7 system (Waukesha, WI) equipped with an 11 MHz M12L linear transducer. Standard parasternal short axis images were obtained at the mid-left ventricular level (papillary muscles served as markers) by two-dimensional echocardiography. The images were then analyzed using Echo-PAC workstation with Q analysis software (General Electric, Waukesha, WI). LV dimensions were measured in diastole and systole, as well as the anterior and posterior wall thickness in diastole. Fractional shortening (FS), left ventricular mass (LVM) and ejection fraction (EF) were determined using previously described calculations (40 (link), 41 (link)). Investigators were blinded to the experimental groups for the duration of the echocardiographic measurements.
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