Figure 4.

Effects of ERY on the expression of NF-κB, p65 and IκBα in CS-induced emphysema in rats by western blotting. Protein expression levels of NF-κB, p65 and IκBα as measured by western blotting, with quantification relative to β-actin. The upper band on the blot for NF-κB p65 was quantified and the lower band was considered to be non-specific binding and was not quantified. Data are presented as the mean ± standard deviation. Control rats were exposed to normal air and received daily saline injections. CS rats were exposed to CS for 12 weeks. CS + ERY rats were exposed to CS for 12 weeks and received daily injections of 100 mg/kg ERY. *P<0.05 vs. control group and ^#P<0.05 vs. CS group; n=12 per group. CS, cigarette smoke; ERY, erythromycin; IκBα, inhibitor of NF-κB; NF-κB, nuclear factor-κB.