Figure 4.

Effects of paclitaxel and everolimus on caspase-3 activity in EC. EC were cultured in vitro under hyperglycemic conditions (42 mM) and allowed to grow to 80% confluence. Cells were then treated with growth media alone (control), or everolimus or paclitaxel (10^-5 M, 10^-7 M) for 24 hours. A caspase-3 fluorescent assay kit was used to quantify caspase-3 activity. Data expressed as fold change relative to control (mean ± standard deviation, n = 3). Paclitaxel increased EC caspase-3 activity in a dose-dependent manner while everolimus had no effect. ^* p < 0.05 vs. control