Figure 3.

(A) The plasma brain natriuretic peptide (BNP) and (B) RV BNP levels. The plasma BNP level was significantly higher in the SuPNx₄₂ rats than in sham-operated rats (130.2 ± 19.76 vs. 59.50 ± 7.74 pg/ml; P < 0.001). Treatment with DIZE for 42 days significantly lowered the plasma BNP levels when compared with that of the vehicle-treated group (31.14 ± 2.83 vs. 130.2 ± 19.76 pg/ml; P < 0.05). There was a trend that the SuPNx₄₂/DIZE₂₉₋₄₂ rats had a decreased plasma BNP level when compared with the SuPNx₄₂ rats, but the difference was not statistically significant. The RV BNP was significantly higher in SuPNx₄₂ rats than that of the sham₄₂ rats (103.4 ± 10.01 vs. 31.05 ± 2.57 pg/ml; P < 0.0001). Both DIZE treatment groups had significantly lowered RV BNP than in the SuPNx₄₂ rats (early: 46.82 ± 6.62 pg/ml vs. 103.4 ± 10.01 pg/ml, P < 0.0001; late: 61.83 ± 5.10 pg/ml vs. 103.4 ± 10.01 pg/ml, P < 0.001). Values represent the mean ± SEM. ^*P < 0.05, ^**P < 0.01, ^***P < 0.001, ^****P < 0.0001 (n = 6–8).