Comparative analysis of ECE and PPB treatment on the reduction of vascular smooth muscle cell phenotypic switching to osteoblast-like cell in AGE or palmitate-treated VSMC and HFD-fed mice. mRNA levels of the phenotypic switching to osteoblast-like cell-related molecules (A) PKC, (B) TGFβ, (C) BMP2, and (E) CBFα1 were determined using qRT-PCR. (D) Arrows indicate NF-κB protein expression of HFD-fed mice and quantified graph showing intensity. We incubated 25 μg/mL ECE or 1.8 μg/mL PPB with AGE or PA-treated VSMC (cell) and 100 mg/kg ECE or 2.5 mg/kg PPB administered with HFD-fed mice. scale bar = 25 μm. **, p < 0.01 vs. PBS or NFD/Saline group; #, p < 0.05, ##, p < 0.01 vs. AGE, PA or HFD/Saline group. AGE, advanced glycation end products; BMP2, Bone morphogenetic protein 2; CBFα1, core-binding factor alpha 1; ECE, Ecklonia cava extract; HFD, high-fat diet; NFD, normal fat diet; NF-κB, nuclear factor kappa-light-chain-enhancer of activated B cells; PA, palmitate; PBS, phosphate-buffered saline; PKC, protein kinase C; PPB, pyrogallol-phloroglucinol-6,6-bieckol; qRT-PCR, real-time quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction; RAGE, receptor for advanced glycation end products; TGFβ, transforming growth factor beta; VSMC, vascular smooth muscle cell.