The optimal dose and duration of lipopolysaccharide stimulation were determined using the 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide method. The cell survival rate was determined after incubation with 0 (saline) and 0.1, 1 and 10 μg/mL lipopolysaccharide (LPS) for 3, 6, 12 and 24 h. aP < 0.05, bP < 0.01 vs the saline group.