EXPRESSION OF CONCERN: Chondroitin-4-Sulphate Reduced Oxidative Injury in Caerulein-Induced Pancreatitis in Mice: The Involvement of NF-κB Translocation and Apoptosis Activation

The journal Editor and Sage hereby issue an expression of concern for the following article:

Campo GM, Avenoso A, Campo S, et al. Chondroitin-4-Sulphate Reduced Oxidative Injury in Caerulein-Induced Pancreatitis in Mice: The Involvement of NF-κB Translocation and Apoptosis Activation. Experimental Biology and Medicine. 2008;233(6):741-752. doi: 10.3181/0711-RM-31810.3181/0711-RM-318

Sage was alerted to a discussion surrounding the article on PubPeer. Concerns were raised about several images in the article:

1. Figures 2B, 3B, 4B and 5B appear to contain duplication across the lanes of the Western blots.

2. Figure 2B lanes a, b, appear to have overlapping features with Figure 5B lanes a, b.

3. Figure 2B lane f appears to have overlapping features with Figure 5B lane e.

Upon reviewing the article, the journal Editor and Sage noted that there were additional concerns surrounding the validity of figures and graphs in the article:

1. Figures 3B, 5B have background irregularities that could indicate potential background correction.

2. Figure 2B: potential splicing between lanes b and c.

3. Figure 3B: potential splicing between lanes b and c.

4. Figure 4B: potential splicing between lanes b and c, c and d, e and f.

5. Figure 5B: potential splicing between lanes b.

Sage contacted the corresponding author and requested the original images and underlying data. Due to the insufficient quality of the images and lack of underlying data, Sage cannot verify the veracity of the images or original experiments.

As original images and underlying data cannot be verified, the journal Editor and Sage have decided to publish an expression of concern to alert readers. We enclose herewith the replacement images provided by the corresponding author as Supplementary information.