Effect of carbon monoxide releasing molecule-2 (CORM-2) on reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels, lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) release and oxygen consumption in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated neonatal rat ventricular myocyte cultures (NRVMCs). NRVMCs were stimulated by LPS for 12 h and treated with CORM-2 or iCORM-2. A, Representative fluorescence photomicrographs revealed that LPS stimulation increased ROS levels compared with the control, whereas CORM-2 treatment significantly reduced LPS-induced ROS generation. B, Fluorescence spectrometry analysis was consistent with the fluorescence spectrometry results. C, LDH release was markedly higher in NRVMCs treated with LPS than that in control group and LDH release was significantly decreased when NRVMCs were co-incubated with LPS and CORM-2. D, Oxygen consumption was assayed by Clark-type electrode. Oxygen consumption was significantly reduced at 12 h following LPS stimulation as compared with control group. However, CORM-2 markedly improved oxygen consumption. Data were shown as mean ± SD, **P < 0.01 compared with sham, ***P < 0.001 compared with sham, #P < 0.05 compared with CLP, ##P < 0.01 compared with CLP