Inflammatory characteristics in CD14 positive monocytes in MS subjects. Ten MS subjects were selected, and 4 weeks of MES + HS treatment was performed. Before and after the MES + HS treatment period, blood sampling was performed on a fasted state. Circulating monocytes were isolated, then HSP72 protein, p-AMPK, p-JNK and actin were determined by Western blot analysis. Representative results are shown in A. The relative intensity calculated using actin is shown in B. (C) Isolated monocytes were subjected to immunofluorescent staining after LPS stimulation using antibodies against NF-κB p65 (red) and CD14 (green). Representative results are shown under low (upper panels) or high (lower panels) magnifications. (D) Isolated monocytes after LPS stimulation were subjected to mRNA measurements of CRP, IL-6, NF-κB and TNF-α. Averages of each mRNA level with or without MES + HS treatment are shown. *p < 0.05, **p < 0.01.