Figure 5.

Overexpression of SMS2 can promote endothelial cell injury by increasing the deposition of intracellular cholesterol. (A) LDH, (C) NOS, and (D) SOD levels were measured with assay kits. (B) Western blot analysis detected the protein levels of SMS2, Bax, and Bcl-2. n = 3, * p < 0.05, and ** p < 0.001 vs. the C group; ^## p < 0.001 vs. the S group. ^&& p < 0.001 vs. the Sim group. C, cells transfected with empty plasmids treated with H₂O₂ (450 µmol/L) for 24 h; S, cells overexpressing SMS2 treated with H₂O₂ (450 µmol/L) for 24 h; Sim, empty plasmids treated with simvastatin (0.1 µmol/L) for 24 h and then treated with H₂O₂ (450 µmol/L) for 24 h; S+Sim, cells overexpressing SMS2 treated with simvastatin (0.1 µmol/L) for 24 h and then treated with H₂O₂ (450 µmol/L) for 24 h.