VCAM1 and atherosclerosis: Overexpression of PGC-1α in human aortic smooth muscle and endothelial cells in vitro has been shown to prevent reactive oxygen species (ROS) production and NAD(P)H oxidase activity, with subsequently reduced NF-κB activity and lower expression levels of MCP-1 and VCAM-1 [12], which are important triggers of inflammation and atherosclerosis.