Figure 6. AGE-FN substrate induces O₂^- in RMECs. In situ O₂^- production, as measured by DHE florescence, was relatively low when RMECs were grown on FN, but this increased when the cells were exposed to NADPH. Treatment of RMECs with PEG-SOD decreased fluorescence in RMEC below basal levels, and this antioxidant treatment also significantly reduced NADPH-induced O₂^-. RMECs growing on AGE-FN showed higher basal levels of O₂^- when compared to native FN control treatments, and this response was further increased by NADPH exposure. As with RMECs growing on FN, PEG-SOD can significantly prevent O₂^- production (n=3; ***p<0.001).