Figure 4.

17α-E2 treatment reduces the collagen cross-linking enzyme LOXL2 in liver. Liver Loxl2 mRNA (n = 9–12/group; A) and LOXL2 protein (n = 14/group; B) at the conclusion of the 8-wk intervention. C: representative immunoblots of liver LOXL2 and GAPDH at the conclusion of the 8-wk intervention. All data are shown as means ± SE and were analyzed by one-way ANOVA with Tukey’s post hoc testing. We did not indicate statistical differences between vehicle and 17α-E2 treatment groups (preventive and therapeutic), or between 17α-E2 treatment groups (preventive and therapeutic), for purposes of visual clarity. *P < 0.05, ***P < 0.005. LOXL2, lysyl oxidase-like 2; 17α-E2, 17α-estradiol.