HBSP inhibits TNF-α and MMP-9 production in THP-1 cells. (A) HBSP reduces TNF-α expression in CRP-stimulated THP-1 cells. THP-1 cells were incubated in serum-free medium with vehicle, CRP (47.6 nmol/L), CRP + EPO (10,000 IU/L) or CRP + HBSP (2.0 nmol/L) for 24 h. Then samples were collected and concentrations of TNF-α in the culture supernatants were measured by ELISA. Data are mean ± SEM, n = 6; *P < 0.01 versus CRP, #P < 0.05 versus CRP. (B) HBSP reduces MMP-9 production in CRP-stimulated THP-1 cells. Cells were incubated, as in (A), and MMP-9 concentrations were measured in the same manner as in (A). Data are mean ± SEM, n = 4; *P < 0.05 versus CRP.