Fig. 6.
The expression of ERK and p27Kip1 by Western blot analysis. p-ERK protein levels were significantly upregulated after the pancreatic stellate cells were stimulated by platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF). This increase was markedly reduced by pre-incubation with simvastatin (1 µM) and troglitazone (10 µM) and was further decreased by the combination of the two drugs. A significant elevation in the p27Kip1 protein level was induced by the combination of the two drugs, whereas neither simvastatin (1 µM) nor troglitazone (10 µM) alone had an effect on the p27Kip1 protein level.