*2.1. LOE Improves Endothelial Dysfunction in WD-Fed apoE*−*/*<sup>−</sup> *Mice*

The effect of LOE on endothelial dysfunction was investigated by monitoring endotheliumdependent vascular relaxation. Compared with aortic rings isolated from chow diet-fed C57BL/6 mice, those obtained from WD-fed apoE−/<sup>−</sup> mice showed decreased relaxation to acetylcholine (Ach), suggesting impaired endothelium-dependent vascular relaxation (Figure 1). Both LOE and losartan treatment significantly improved the endotheliumdependent vascular relaxation of aorta rings derived from WD-fed apoE−/<sup>−</sup> mice (Figure 1).
