Hyperosmolar culture induced expression of the anti-inflammatory cytokines, IL-6 and IL-8. hTCEpi cells were cultured in basal media in isotonic and hyperosmolar conditions with and without 500 ng/mL rhIGFBP-3 for 24 hours. (A) Hyperosmolar culture triggered release of IL-6 that was not affected by treatment with rhIGFBP-3 (*P = 0.008 for 450 compared to KBM, **P = 0.004 for IGFBP-3 treated cells in hyperosmolar culture compared to KBM, one-way ANOVA, SNK multiple comparison test, n = 3). (B) IL-8 showed a more robust increase in hyperosmolar culture compared to KBM (*P = 0.001). This increase was partially abrogated by treatment with rhIGFBP-3 (**P = 0.033, one-way ANOVA, SNK multiple comparison test). Data represented as mean ± standard deviation.