Endogenous Estrogen-Mediated Heme Oxygenase Regulation in Experimental Menopause

Figure 2

Detection of heme oxygenase expression (HO-1 and HO-2; expressed as %) by Western blot analysis in the cardiac left ventricle of control, ovariectomized (pharmacologically POVX and surgically OVX), and aged rats. (a) Heme oxygenase-1 enzyme (HO-1; expressed as %, 100% being the maximal expression) in the cardiac left ventricle of control, ovariectomized (pharmacologically POVX and surgically OVX), and aged rats with densitometric assessment. There was a significant decrease in HO-1 expression in the ovariectomized and aged groups. Data are expressed as means ± S.E.M., . Statistical significance: ^* relative to the control (sham-operated) group. (b) Heme oxygenase-2 expression (HO-2; expressed as %, 100% being the maximal expression) in the cardiac left ventricle of control, ovariectomized (pharmacologically POVX and surgically OVX), and aged rats, with densitometric assessment. The HO-2 expression proved to be significantly decreased in the ovariectomized and aged rats. Data are expressed as means ± S.E.M., . Statistical significance: ^* relative to the control (sham-operated) group.

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