We further evaluated the mRNA expression of Nrf2-mediated anti-oxidant enzyme genes, including Ho-1 and Nqo1. In WT males, the mRNA expression of Ho-1 and Nqo1, which was strongly increased by AOM/DSS treatment, was strongly inhibited by E2 treatment (P = 0.005 for Ho-1 and P = 0.010 for Nqo1; Figures 3E, G). Here, HMOX1 is linked to infectious otitis media.