Fig. 5.

Cyp1b1 gene disruption reduced vascular fibrosis associated with angiotensin (Ang) II-induced hypertension, which was restored by 6β-hydroxytestosterone (6β-OHT). Mice were infused with vehicle or Ang II (700 ng/kg/day) for 14 days and injected with 6β-OHT (15 μg/g b.w every third day) as described in the “Materials and methods” section. After Ang II infusion, the aorta was removed, processed, and stained with Masson’s trichrome to reveal collagen deposition (a, b). The percentage positive area for collagen staining was calculated. *P < 0.05 vehicle, 6β-OHT vs. corresponding values from Ang II-treated animals; ^†P < 0.05, Cyp1b1^+/+ Ang II vs. Cyp1b1^−/−Ang II (n = 3 for all experiments; data are expressed as mean ± SEM)