Regulation of HO-1 expression and activity by genipin in VSMCs.

<p>Cells were treated with indicated concentrations of genipin for 24 h (A) or with 100 μM genipin for indicated time-points (B). For the combination of genipin and TNF-α, cells were pretreated with 100 μM genipin for 1 h and then stimulated with 100 ng/ml TNF-α for 24 h (D–F). HO-1 mRNA and protein expression levels were respectively determined by RT-qPCR (A–B and D) and western blot (C and E–F). HO-1 activity was assessed by a biochemical analysis (G). Results are average of three separate experiments. Data are reported as means ± SD. *<i>P</i><0.05; <i>**P</i><0.01 compared with the control group; ^<i>#</i><i>P</i><0.05; ^{<i># #</i>}<i>P</i><0.01 compared with the TNF-α-treated group.