NE increased NQO1 protein and activity levels in NHBE whole cell lysates. Whole cell lysates of NHBE following treatment with NE (500 nM, 1 h) or control vehicle (Ctrl) were evaluated for NQO1 protein levels by western analysis (A). The graph summarizes the densitometry data of NQO1 protein levels normalized to β-actin. Results are expressed as a percent of control (C), mean ± SEM (n=9-12, 4 separate experiments). *, significantly different from control, (p=0.0006) (B). NQO1 activity in the whole cell lysate was evaluated using a spectrophotometric assay measuring the reduction of DCPIP at 600 nm in the presence or absence of dicumarol. Relative NQO1 activity was expressed as a percent of control, mean ±SEM (n=5, 2 separate experiments). *, significantly different from control (P = 0.016) (C).