Quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) of the atria after PAD indicated a clear reduction of Chat mRNA (0.11±0.08-fold to Cdkn1b and fat tissue, P=0.063, Wilcoxon signed-rank test), as well as Th mRNA (0.55±0.2-fold to Cdkn1b and fat tissue, P=0.078, Wilcoxon signed-rank test) and RBfox3 mRNA (also known as NeuN), which is expressed exclusively in neuronal nuclei18 (0.41±0.09-fold to Cdkn1b and fat tissue, P=0.011, paired t-test; Fig. 6d). This evidence concerns the gene RBFOX3 and peripheral arterial disease.