Ebselen diminishes CS-induced vascular oxidative stress and downregulation of eNOS
We next sought to define the underlying mechanism by which ebselen prevented CS-induced endothelial dysfunction. Mice chronically exposed to CS had increased vascular endothelial oxidative stress as measured by 3-NT expression (Figure 6, p <0.05). However, ebselen administration significantly reduced CS-induced increases in 3-NT expression to baseline sham levels (Figure 6, p <0.05). Moreover, ebselen treatment completely prevented the downregulation of eNOS as a result of CS-exposure (Figure 7, p <0.05). Collectively, these findings suggest that ebselen reduced CS-induced vascular oxidative stress and subsequently prevented the downregulation of eNOS within the thoracic aorta.