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Fig. 4 | Intensive Care Medicine Experimental

Fig. 4

From: Modulatory effects of vagal stimulation on neurophysiological parameters and the cellular immune response in the rat brain during systemic inflammation

Fig. 4

Real-time PCR analysis of COX2 (a, b), mPGES-1 (b, d), and the microglial activation marker CD68 in the hypothalamus (a, c, e) and in the cortex (b, d, f) (n = 5). COX2 and mPGES-1 expression was induced 4.5 h after LPS administration in the cortex as well as in the hypothalamus. The mPGES-1 expression did not differ significantly between the septic groups. In the hypothalamus, vagotomy increased and vagus nerve stimulation decreased COX2 expression resulting in significant differences (P < 0.05) whereas in the cortex both interventions resulted in a significant decrease in expression (both P < 0.05). Moreover, LPS induced the expression of CD68 in the hypothalamus and cortex. While there were no differences between the septic groups in the hypothalamus, vagotomy leads to a reduced CD68 expression in the cortex compared to the LPS + SHAM group (P < 0.01). Data are given as means ± SEM. Significance is given as: * compared to SHAM; *P < 0.05; **P < 0.01; ***P < 0.001; # compared as indicated; # P < 0.05; ## P < 0.01; COX cyclooxygenase, mPGES microsomal prostaglandin synthase, LPS lipopolysaccharide, SHAM sham surgery, VGX bilateral vagotomy, VGX + VNS bilateral vagotomy and distal vagus nerve stimulation

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