These results indicated that Pic was protective against PA-induced endothelial dysfunction by inducing the Nrf2-dependent expression of HO-1, suggesting a potential strategy of targeting the expression of HO-1 by Pic for endothelial protection in the presence of high levels of PA, including that in obesity, diabetes and other metabolic inflammatory diseases. This evidence concerns the gene HMOX1 and obesity due to melanocortin 4 receptor deficiency.