Figure 6.

Role of NLRP3 pathway and immune cells infiltration in TMAO-induced endothelial dysfunction in imiquimod (IMQ) animals. (A) Aortic mRNA levels of NLRP3 and downstream IL-1β and ICAM1 measured by RT-PCR. (B) Th17 and Th1 cells as detected with flow cytometry in aorta. (C) Acetylcholine (Ach)-induced relaxation responses in aortas pre-contracted by U46619 (10 nM), with or without the specific Rho kinase inhibitor Y27632 (500 nM). Groups: control (CTR), CTR-group treated with 3,3-dimethyl-1-butanol (DMB) (CTR-DMB), IMQ, and IMQ-group treated with DMB (IMQ-DMB). The data are represented as means ± SEM. The concentration–response curves to Ach were analyzed by two-way ANOVA with the Tukey’s multiple comparison test. One-way ANOVA and Tukey’s multiple comparison test were performed. * p < 0.05 and ** p < 0.01 when compared to CTR; ^# p < 0.05 and ^## p < 0.01 when compared to IMQ.