Figure 6. E2 prevents Ang II–induced cardiomyocyte apoptosis.
Effects of E2 on Ang II–induced apoptosis of rat neonatal cardiomyocytes in vitro. Results are expressed as (A) NADPH oxidase activity, (B) TrxRD activity, and (C) apoptosis index ratio of cells pretreated with vehicle or E2 (10 nmol/L) for 24 hours followed by the addition of 100 µmol/L Ang II for 6 hours. In some experiments, cells were cotreated with the NADPH oxidase inhibitor apocynin (Apo; 100 µmol/L), the estrogen receptor antagonist ICI 182,780 (ICI; 1 µmol/L), or the TrxRD inhibitor azelaic acid (Az; 10 µmol/L). Results are presented as mean±SD. *P<0.05 compared with Ang II plus vehicle control. †P<0.05 compared with Ang II plus E2 treatment.