Figure 1: This graphically illustrates mast cell density in the hearts of mice on diets with or without ethanol. Young adult mice were placed on liquid diets containing no ethanol (black bars) or 4% ethanol (gray bars) for the indicated duration. After the appropriate duration, animals were euthanized, hearts fixed and histological sections obtained. Sections were stained with Toluidine Blue and mast cells counted using a light microscope. Statistical significance was determined using a Student’s t test (*<0.05; n=5 to 7 mice per group).