Fig. 4

TNF-α contributes to decreased Akt/NO signaling in HFD-fed mice. Concentration-effect curves to insulin were performed in endothelium-intact mesenteric arteries. The role of the PTEN on TNF-α-modulate NO in vessels was investigated using L-NAME (a). Western blot quantification of Akt^(Ser473) phosphorylation levels in mesenteric arteries (b). The role of Akt on the relaxation was investigated using YS-49 in vessels of C57Bl/6J mice fed with control or HFD diet (c). Western blot quantification of mesenteric arteries eNOS^{(Ser1177/Thr495)} phosphorylation levels in mesenteric arteries (d). DAF-2 DA-derived fluorescence (e). NO metabolites levels (f). Results represent the mean ± S.E.M. n = 5–6 in each experimental group. Scale bar: 100 µm. *p < 0.05 vs. C57Bl/6J Control; ^#p < 0.05 vs. C57Bl/6J HFD; ^&p < 0.05 vs. C57Bl/6J_TNFα + VO-OHpic