Figure 3. Pro‐inflammatory cytokine gene expression in the cerebral WM .

A, IL‐1β mRNA levels were increased in Vent+EPO compared to UVC and Vent in the PVWM; there was no difference between groups in the SCWM. B, IL‐6 mRNA levels was increased in Vent compared to UVC in the PVWM and further increased in Vent+EPO; in the SCWM Vent and Vent+EPO had increased levels compared to UVC. C, IL‐8 mRNA levels were increased in Vent and Vent+EPO compared to UVC in the PVWM; in the SCWM IL‐8 mRNA levels were increased in Vent compared to UVC and further increased in Vent+EPO compared to both UVC and Vent. *P < 0.05 and **P < 0.001 compared to UVC; # P < 0.05 and ## P < 0.001 compared to Vent.