Figure 4.

Relative expression of ET_A-R, ET_B-R, ppET-1 and ECE in neonatal cardiomyocytes in response to E2. Cells were stimulated for 24 h with E2 (10⁻⁸ M) or vehicle alone (C=control). PCR results were normalized for each target gene to control cells in such a manner that the mean expression of control equals a value of 1. The expression level of ET_B-R mRNA was significantly downregulated due to E2 treatment, whereas there was no significant difference concerning expression levels of ET_A-R, ECE and ppET-1. Results are mean±s.d. from three experiments (n=3, ^*P<0.005 vs control).