Relationship between ROS concentration and LV shortening fraction at the end of the 3 week study protocol. There is a close inverse relationship between ROS concentration and LV shortening fraction, and the beneficial effects of vitamins C and E or SB281832, respectively, fall along the relationship. DHE, dihydroethidine; HF3, heart failure rabbits after 3 weeks of pacing; LV, left ventricular; ROS, reactive oxygen species.