Post-I/R injury serum cytokine concentrations. Serum samples were collected from male or female rats subjected to cardiac I/R injury, 24 h following intratracheal (IT) or intravenous (IV) delivery of C60 or vehicle. (A) IL-6 concentrations were significantly higher in serum collected from male rats exposed to IV C60 compared with male IV vehicle, male IT C60, and female IV C60. (B) MCP-1 concentrations were also increased in serum collected from male rats exposed to IV C60 compared with male IV vehicle, male IT C60, and female IV C60. (C) VEGF concentrations were similar in serum collected from all groups. *p < 0.05 by two-way ANOVA, N = 3–4.