Fig. 3

STA increased NO, cGMP and BH4 production. a BAECs were treated with indicated concentrations of STA for 24 h, and cell viability was measured by using MTT. b BAECs were pre-incubated with STA (10 μM) or vehicle for 12 h, and then exposed to Hcy (500 μM, 12 h). NO concentration in supernatants was measured by using the Griess reagent. c Intracellular NO was detected by using DAF-FM probe (40 × objective). d The mean fluorescence intensity was evaluated as in (c). e Rat thoracic artery rings pre-incubated with STA or vehicle were exposed to Hcy. The cGMP production was measured by using an enzyme immunoassay kit. f Intracellular levels of BH4 were measured by using BH4 ELISA Kit. Data shown were mean ± SEM, n = 5, ^*P < 0.05