Rosmarinic Acid Alleviates the Endothelial Dysfunction Induced by Hydrogen Peroxide in Rat Aortic Rings via Activation of AMPK

Figure 3

eNOS activation mediated the protection of rosmarinic acid on the endothelial dysfunction induced by H₂O₂ in rat aortic rings. The rat aortic rings were cotreated with eNOS inhibitor L-NAME (2.0 μM) and RA (50 μM) for 10 min, then exposed to H₂O₂ (5.0 mM) for another 10 min. The endothelial function was assessed by the endothelium-dependent vasodilation induced by acetylcholine (ACh, 10 μM) (). (a) The relative endothelium-dependent vasodilation rate after exposure to RA, eNOS inhibitor L-NAME, and H₂O₂ in rat aortic rings. (b) The NBT reduction after exposure to RA, eNOS inhibitor L-NAME, and H₂O₂ in rat aortic rings. Data are presented as the means ± SD (). versus the untreated control group; ^## versus the H₂O₂-treated group; ^$ and ^$$ versus the H₂O₂- and RA-cotreated groups, respectively.

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