Background: Vascular endothelial dysfunction can initiate oxidative stress during ischemiaJreperfusion (IIR). Endothelial dysfunction is characterized by an increase in blood hydrogen peroxide (H20 ]) and a decrease in endothelial-derived nitric oxide (NO) bioavailability. Previous studies using Go 6983, a broad-spectrum protein kinase C inhibitor that can inhibit NADPH oxidase activity, has attenuated blood H20 ] levels during femoralliR in vivo. This study examines the effects of apocynin, a direct NADPH oxidase inhibitor, on real-time blood H20 ] levels in femoral I1R in vivo. H20 ] microsensors (100 Mm) were inserted into both femoral veins in anesthetized rats
