Fig. 3.

Expression of myocardial caspase-3, caspase-8, and Bcl-2 in ERβKO and WT hearts of both sexes after I/R. A: increased caspase-3 activity was noted in female, but not male, ERβKO hearts. B: deficiency of the ERβ gene increased caspase-8 activity in female hearts but decreased its activity in male hearts following I/R. C: ERβKO decreased antiapoptotic protein Bcl-2 in female hearts. Representative immunoblots (2 lanes/group) are shown at left and densitometry bar graphs (%GAPDH) at right. Results are means ± SE. *P < 0.05; **P < 0.01 vs. male WT. ##P < 0.01 vs. female WT. Experiments were repeated in 2 different sessions.