Fig. 1

Dual immunolabeling of eNOS/α-actin (a-e) and iNOS/ET1 (f-j) in erectile tissue of rats from all experimental groups (n = 3/group). Smooth muscle cells (SMC) layer was evident after α-actin labeling (red), surrounding endothelium (not labeled) and vascular spaces in all animals. No marked differences among groups were evident. eNOS was detected not only in the endothelium, but also in SMC (green) apparently with higher intensity in HF/ER, HF/ER/S and HF/ER/S/Ex groups (c-e). iNOS was detected in the SMC (green) in all experimental groups (f-j), being particularly evident in HF-treated rats (g). ET-1 was mostly localized in the endothelium (red), with an apparent higher intensity in HF-fed rats (g). C-control; HF-high-fat diet treated rats; HF/ER-high-fat diet treated rats under energy restriction for 6 months; HF/ER/S-high-fat diet treated rats under energy restriction and atorvastatin treatment for 6 months; HF/ER/S/Ex-high-fat diet treated rats under energy restriction, atorvastatin treatment and exercise for 6 months. VS- vascular space