Figure 7
Subgroup comparison of circadian expression of clock genes at mRNA levels between two groups according to approximate age (range of age: 60–70 years old). (A) Circadian expression of Bmal1 mRNA in two subgroups. (B) Circadian expression of Clock mRNA in two subgroups. (C) Circadian expression of Per2 mRNA in two subgroups. (D) Circadian expression of Cry1 mRNA in two subgroups. (E) Circadian expression of Rev-erbα mRNA in two subgroups. The mRNA levels were determined by qRT-PCR at the indicated time points after the serum shock. Values of clock genes mRNA were normalized to GAPDH mRNA. The signal levels at ZT0 of normal human carotid VSMCs were defined as 1. Each value represents the mean ± SD (n1 = 2 of normal human carotid VSMCs; n2 = 6 of human plaque-derived VSMCs). The differences of expression levels were assessed by unpaired Student’s t test. *p < 0.05 in normal human carotid VSMCs versus human plaque-derived VSMCs. **p < 0.01 in normal human carotid VSMCs versus human plaque-derived VSMCs.