Statistical analysis
Data are presented as mean ± SEM. Normality was tested using D’Agostino
and Pearson omnibus normality test. Groups were compared using the
Mann–Whitney U test for non-parametric data or an un-paired
Student’s t -test for parametric data. When comparing multiple
groups data were analysed by analysis of variance (ANOVA) with
Newman–Keuls post-test for parametric data or Kruskal–Wallis test with
Dunns post-test for non-parametric data. When more than two independent
variables were present a two-way ANOVA with Tukey’s multiple comparisons
test was used. When within subject repeated measurements were present a
repeated measures (RM) ANOVA was used. A value
of P < 0.05 was considered statistically significant.