FIGURE 2.

MgSO₄ decreases LPS-stimulated cytokine production in neonates. (A) MgSO₄ supplementation decreases the percentage of stimulated monocytes producing TNF-α and IL-6. CBMCs cultured in RPMI 1640 (CTRL) or RPMI 1640 at a MgSO₄ concentration of 6 mg/dl (Mg Sup) were stimulated with 50 pg/ml LPS for 6 h with brefeldin A. Cells were stained with mAb CD14-FITC, permeabilized, stained with mAbs IL-6-PE, and TNF-α-allophycocyanin, followed by flow cytometric analysis. The percentage of monocytes (CD14⁺ cells) producing IL-6 or TNF-α is shown in the upper right corner of each plot, with monocytes comprising most of the cytokine-producing cells (>95%). MgSO₄ exposure significantly downregulates LPS-induced (B) and basal (C) cytokine production. The percentage of monocytes producing IL-6 or TNF-α is shown (n = 12, unique shapes delineate each individual), demonstrating that MgSO₄ supplementation consistently decreases cytokine production in CBMCs. Data were analyzed using a Wilcoxon signed-rank test.