Effect of alcohol (ALC) and pioglitazone (PIO) on expression of interleukin 6 (IL-6) and interleukin 1β (IL-1β) genes in the hippocampus (A and C) and entorhinal cortex (EC, B and D). Pioglitazone (60 mg/kg) blocked alcohol-induced neuroinflammation in the hippocampus and EC. Brain structures were dissected, RNA prepared, cDNA synthesized, and mRNA levels evaluated by real-time polymerase chain reaction. β-actin expression served as normalization control. Results are expressed as fold change relative to vehicle treated controls (PIO 0-CON). Values are mean ± SEM. N=6–8 per treatment group. *p<0.05, **p<0.01, ***p<0.001. For detailed statistics see “Results”.