Effects of eotaxin, antimycin A and MnTBAP on the activation of p38, Stat3 and NFκB in HCAECs. A, Phosphorylation of p38 and Stat3 as well as nuclear translocation of NF-kB p65 in HCAECs. Cells were treated with either eotaxin (100 ng/mL) or antimycin A (10 μg/mL) for 45 min or pretreated with MnTBAP (2 μM) for 30 min followed by antimycin A treatment for 30 min. Cytoplasmic and nuclear extracts were isolated, respectively. Phosphorylated (p) and total p38 and Stat3 as well as NF-kB p65 proteins were detected by the Western blotting analysis. Loading efficiency was determined by reprobing the blot with β-actin antibody. The experiment was repeated twice. B, Endothelial permeability. HCAECs were treated with eotaxin (100 ng/mL) alone or pretreated with specific p38 inhibitor SB203580 followed by eotaxin treatment for 24 h. Endothelial permeability was assayed. n=3. *p<0.05 (the comparison is indicated by the arrow head). Error bars represent SD.