NLRP3 inflammasome inhibitor Ac-YVAD-CMK reduces expression of NLRP3 inflammasome in mice on day 3 after LPS injection. (A) Western blotting was used to determine hippocampal protein levels of NLRP3, ASC, and caspase-1 p10. (B–D) Protein expression levels of NLRP3, ASC, and caspase-1 p10 increased significantly in the hippocampus of LPS-exposed mice, but were reduced to near baseline in the LPS mice treated with Ac-YVAD-CMK (n = 6 mice/group, **p < 0.01 vs. control and YVAD groups, ##p < 0.01 vs. LPS group). Data are presented as mean ± SD.