Fig. 5

Real-time PCR analysis of CXCL1 (a, b) and ICAM-1 (c, d) in the hypothalamus (a, c) and cortex (b, d) as well as the quantification of immunohistochemical analysis of ICAM-1 in the SFO and neighboring choroid plexus (e) and in the cortex (f) (n = 5). CXCL1 and ICAM-1 expression was induced 4.5 h after LPS administration. In the hypothalamus, vagus nerve stimulation leads to a decreased expression of CXCL1 compared to the LPS + SHAM group (P < 0.01) and a decreased expression of ICAM-1 compared to the LPS + SHAM group (P < 0.01) and the LPS + VGX group (P < 0.05). The immunohistochemical analysis of the SFO and neighboring choroid plexus revealed no differences between the different groups. In contrast to the hypothalamus, in the cortex, vagotomy independent of vagus nerve stimulation caused a decreased expression of CXCL1 (P < 0.05 and P < 0.01) and ICAM-1 (P < 0.001) compared to the LPS + SHAM group, although this did not result in immunohistologically significant differences. 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; ^### P < 0.001; ICAM intercellular adhesion molecule, SFO subfornical organ, LPS lipopolysaccharide, SHAM sham surgery, VGX bilateral vagotomy, VGX + VNS bilateral vagotomy and distal vagus nerve stimulation