Superoxide was measured using dihydroethidium (DHE) and an HPLC-based assay with minor modification as described previously 22 (link). NADPH oxidase activity was measured in membrane preparations prepared as described previously using ESR and the spin probe CPH 23 (link), and was quantified as NADPH dependent O2 production. NO levels in endothelial cells and vessels were quantified by ESR and colloid Fe(DETC)2 as described previously 24 (link).