Figure 1.

Multiple cytokines and iNOS expression were upregulated and NO production were increased by AEX in PBMCs. (A–G) PBMCs were isolated and cultured with AEX (0–100 μg/mL) or LPS (100 ng/mL) for 24 h. Then total RNA was extracted and analyzed by qRT-PCR for IFN-β, IL-1β, IL-6, TNF-α, IL-10, IL-12p40, and iNOS; (H) PBMCs were isolated and cultured with AEX (0–100 μg/mL) or LPS (100 ng/mL) for 24 h and 48 h. Then, the culture supernatants were collected and nitrite contents were determined by Griess reaction. Data represent means ± SEM from three wells per group. * p ≤ 0.05; ** p ≤ 0.01; *** p ≤ 0.001. Results are representative of two independent experiments.