Fig. 1.

Insulin decreases cytokine-stimulated inducible nitric oxide synthese (iNOS). Hepatocytes were cultured overnight and then stimulated with cytokines [IL-lβ 200 U/ml; interferon (IFN) 100 U/ml] in the presence of the indicated concentration of insulin. A: samples were collected 24 h later and analyzed for nitrite (top) and iNOS protein (bottom). Data represent one of three similar experiments. *Significant difference vs. media control (P < 0.01; n = 6). B: densitometry analysis. C: hepatocyte viability was measured after 24-h cultures with the indicated concentration of insulin by the 3-(4,5 dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay.