CASP12 and endothelial dysfunction: Taken together, CM prevents IR injury-induced impaired contractile response to the α-adrenergic receptor agonist PE, endothelial dysfunction and impaired vascular smooth muscle relaxation (evidenced by altered relaxation responses and sensitivities of aortic rings to ACh and SNP) through the reduction of caspase-3, caspase-8, caspase-9, and caspase-12 expression in diabetic rings.