Fig. 1

Effect of APS on aortic morphological changes in old rats. (a) Representative images of H&E staining and (b) VVG staining (black arrows show elastic fibers lysis). Magnification: 200×. Scale bar = 100 μm. (c) p21 and p16 expression in rat aortic endothelium was evaluated by immunofluorescence staining. Magnification: 400×. Scale bar = 40 μm. (d) Summary data of aortic wall thickness. Values are the means ± S.D. (n = 6). (e) Concentration-response curve of the vasodilator activity in old rats treated with different doses of APS. (n = 6). * p < 0.05, ** p < 0.01 vs. old group; ## p < 0.01 vs. young group. Young: young rat group; Old: old rat group; APS-L: low-dose APS group; APS-M: moderate-dose APS group; APS-H: high-dose APS group