Effects of LPS and/or apoM on NF-κB and IL-1β expression levels. Mice (n=6 per group) were randomly assigned to receive intraperitoneal injections of 0.9% saline (100 µl) or LPS (10 mg/kg in 100 µl saline) 3 times, once every 24 h. (A and B) Effects of LPS and/or apoM on the hepatic mRNA expression levels of NF-κB and IL-1β in apoM−/− and apoM+/+ mice. (C and D) Effects of cross interaction between apoM and LPS on NF-κB and IL-1β mRNA expression levels. (E, F, H and I) Effects of LPS and/or apoM on hepatic and serum protein expression levels of NF-κB and IL-1β in apoM−/− and apoM+/+ mice. (G and J) Western blot analysis. Data are presented as the means ± standard error or the mean. *P<0.05 and **P<0.01. LPS, lipopolysaccharide; apoM, apolipoprotein M; NF-κB, nuclear factor-κB; IL, interleukin.