Fig. 6

Expression of small vessel density in brain infarct zone at day 60 after acute IS. a–g Illustrating the microscopic finding (× 100) of α-smooth muscle (SMA) staining for identifying the expression of small vessels (i.e., diameter ≤ 25.0 μm) (red arrows). h Analytical result of number of small vessels, *P < 0.05, **P < 0.01, ***P < 0.001, ****P < 0.0001 vs. IS. Scale bars in the lower right corner represent 100 μm. All statistical analyses were performed by one-way ANOVA, followed by Bonferroni multiple-comparison post hoc test (n = 6 for each group). LCCA = left common carotid artery. SC = sham-operated control; IS = ischemic stroke (IS); EPC^3h = EPC administration from LCCA at 3 h after acute IS; EPC^3d = EPC administration from LCCA at day 3 after acute IS; EPC^7d = EPC administration from LCCA at day 7 after acute IS; EPC^14d = EPC administration from LCCA at day 14 after acute IS; EPC^28d = EPC administration from LCCA at day 28 after acute IS