Fig. 2.

Endogenous glucocorticoids induce VSMC calcification through the mineralocorticoid receptor (MR). Effect of (A) mifepristone (10 μM) and (B) eplerenone (10 μM) in the presence of corticosterone (100 nM) and (C) mifepristone (10 μM) and (D) eplerenone (10 μM) in the presence of 11-dehydrocorticosterone (11HDC; 100 nM) on calcium deposition in VSMCs cultured in high phosphate (Pi) (3 mM Pi) for 7 days, as determined by quantitative HCL leaching (μg/mg protein) (n = 6). Results are presented as mean ± S.E.M. *P < 0.05; **P < 0.01; ***P < 0.001.