Figure 4.

BmooMPα-I-induced release of PGE₂ and COX-2 expression are dependent on metalloproteinase enzymatic activity. Cultured preadipocytes were incubated with BmooMPα-I (0.24 µM) (Bmoo), Batimastat (Bat), BmooMPα-I + Batimastat, or vehicle (DMSO) for 6 h: (A) concentration of PGE₂ present in culture supernatant was quantified by ELISA; (B) representative Western blotting of COX-2 and β-actin (loading control) showing immunoreactive bands; (C) densitometric analysis of immunoreactive COX-2 bands. Densities (in arbitrary units) were normalized to β-actin densities. Results are expressed as means ± SEM of 4 samples. Note: * p < 0.05 relative to control; ^# p < 0.05 relative to BmooMPα-I (with vehicle) (one-way ANOVA, Bonferroni post-test).