Figure 4.

Rb2 enhanced the reduction effect of ALA on expression of iNOS and COX-2 induced by LPS. RAW264.7 cells were transfected with either GPR120-specific shRNA or negative control shRNA for 12 h, then pretreated with Rb2 (1 and 10 μmol/L) or DMSO for 12 h prior to incubation of ALA (50 μmol/L) or DMSO and finally stimulated with LPS (100 ng/mL) or DMSO for 6 h (for RT-PCR) or 12 h (for Western blot). The expression levels of iNOS and COX-2 protein (A) were detected by Western blot and relative density was normalized by Actin. Relative mRNA expression levels (B) of iNOS and COX-2 were detected by quantitative RT-PCR and were normalized by 18s. The data are presented as mean±SD of three independent experiments. ^*P<0.05 vs 'LPS alone' group. ^#P<0.05 vs 'LPS plus ALA' group.