Effects of AAV-Nrf2 shRNA in the PVN on Nrf2 expression, blood pressure, HO-1 expression, and oxidative stress. (a) The representative immunoblot image for Nrf2; and quantification of western blotting images for Nrf2 in the PVN in 4 groups. (b) Time course of SBP in 4 groups. (c) Representative immunofluorescence images at ×20 magnification showing double staining of HO-1 (red) and nucleus (blue) in the PVN; and the summary data for the HO-1 in the PVN in 4 groups. (d) The representative immunoblot images for HO-1; and quantification of western blotting images for HO-1 in the PVN in different groups. (e) An illustration of DHE staining in the PVN at ×10 magnification; and the data of DHE staining in different groups. (f) Representative immunofluorescence images at ×40 magnification showing staining of gp91^phox (red) in the PVN; and the summary data for the gp91^phox in the PVN in 4 groups. (g) The representative immunoblot images for gp91^phox, p47^phox, and SOD1; and quantification of western blotting images for gp91^phox, p47^phox, and SOD1 in the PVN in 4 groups. 3 V, the third ventricle. n = 6–8/group. Values are mean ± SEM. In SBP data: #P < 0.05 vs. SHR +AAV-CBS + AAV-Nrf2 shRNA. In other parameters: ***P < 0.001; ****P < 0.0001. Abbreviations: AAV, adenovirus-associated virus; CBS, cystathionine beta-synthase; DHE, dihydroethidium; HO-1, heme oxygenase-1; PVN, paraventricular nucleus; SBP, systolic blood pressure; SHR, spontaneously hypertensive rats; SOD, superoxide dismutase.