*4.5. Restraining Cages*

For simulating inactivity, mice were kept as a reference (control) group in smaller cages without the possibility to climb in order to minimize movement.

### *4.6. Laser Doppler Perfusion Imaging (LDPI)*

Perfusion of the paws was recorded using the laser Doppler imaging device PIM3 (Perimed Instruments, Järfälla, Sweden; Software: LDPIwin for PIM3 3.1.3), on a heating plate at 38 ◦C, before FAL (d0 pre), immediately after FAL (d0 post), as well as at d3, d7, and d14 after FAL.

The mean perfusion was shown as the ratio of the ligated hind limb to the contralateral, non-ischemic hind limb.
