gAd induces overexpression of cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) by p38 MAPK and NF-κB pathways. A: mRNA levels of COX-2 detected in HAEC treated for 8 h with TNFα (10 ng/ml), fAd, or gAd (10 μg/ml). B: protein concentrations of 6-keto-prostaglandin F1α (6-keto-PGF-1α) in CM from HAEC treated as in A. C: levels of COX-2 protein expression in lysates of HAEC treated as in A in the absence or presence of NF-κB inhibitor BAY 11-7082 (20 μM, 1-h preincubation), p38 MAPK inhibitor SB-203580 (10 μM, 1-h preincubation), or p42/44 MAPK inhibitor PD-98059 (20 μM, 1-h preincubation). Representative immunoblots from at least 3 independent experiments are shown. Bar graphs indicate the mean ± SE of densitometric analysis for COX-2 protein normalized to β-actin expression. *P < 0.05, **P < 0.01 vs. basal; ††P < 0.01 vs. TNFα; ‡P < 0.05 vs. gAd.