Figure 2.

Direct measurement of endothelial function. (a) Effects of different concentrations of Phe on the arterial ring contraction rate in each group ( $\overline{x}\pm s$ , n = 6). *P < 0.05, **P < 0.01 vs. NC group; ^# P < 0.05, ^## P < 0.01 vs. HS group. (b) Differences in ACh relaxation effect on pre‐contracted vascular rings induced by Phe ( $\overline{x}\pm s$ , n = 6). *P < 0.05, **P < 0.01 vs. NC group; ^# P < 0.05, ^## P < 0.01 vs. HS group. (c) Effect of L‐NAME on the relaxation rate of the rat thoracic aorta ring ( $\overline{x}\pm s$ , n = 6). ACh, Acetylcholine; CAP, captopril; HS, high salt; NC, normal control; Phe, phenylephrine; WSP, Chinese water‐soluable propolis.