a Inflammatory cytokines mRNA and protein level in WKY-VSMCs. b DHE fluorescence staining for detecting reactive oxygen species (ROS) in WKY-VSMCs. c, d NOX1, NOX4 mRNA and protein level in WKY-VSMCs. e Nuclear Nrf2 expression determined by immunofluorescent staining in WKY-VSMCs. f Nrf2 downstream protein (HO-1, NQO-1, GCLC and GCLM) expression. The cells were treated with ELA-21 (200 nM) for 2 h followed by Ang II (100 nM) for 24 h in WKY-VSMCs. n = 4 per group in a, c, d and f; n = 6 per group in b and e. Values are mean ± SEM. *P < 0.05.