Figure 4

Expression of IL-1β and TNFα in the brain tissues in LPS group, HS group, and control group. IL-1β (a) and TNFα (c) mRNA was measured using real-time RT-PCR. β-actin was also included in the PCR reaction as a reference. IL-1β (b) and TNFα (d) proteins were measured using ELISA. (a, c) IL-1β and TNFα mRNA increased in LPS-treated mice at 8 hours and 12 hours following LPS injection, compared with the corresponding controls, but they significantly decreased in the mice at 8 hours and 12 hours following LPS injection after treatment with 3% NaCl. (b, d) IL-1β and TNFα protein increased in LPS-treated mice at 8 hours and 12 hours following LPS injection, compared with the corresponding controls, but it significantly decreased in the mice at 12 hours following LPS injection after treatment with 3% NaCl for 6 hours. (single star) P < 0.05, (two stars) P < 0.01 versus control group. (single triangle) P < 0.05, (two triangles) P < 0.01 versus LPS group. (single circle) P < 0.05, versus 8 hour group. ELISA, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay; HS, hypertonic saline; IL-1β, interleukin-1beta; LPS, lipopolysaccharide; RT-PCR, reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction; TNFα, tumor necrosis factor alpha.