Fig. 2

Serum levels of inflammatory cytokines and corticosterone. Serum cytokine levels were assayed using multi-plex ELISA, with data presented as pg of cytokine per ml serum. Serum corticosterone was assayed using single-plex ELISA and data presented as ng/ml serum. a-c Serum levels of IL-1α, IL-1β and TNFα were highest in the 10-wk HRHF group, compared to FRC animals. IL-1β and TNFα levels were lower in the 10-wk HRHF+TM animals, compared to 10-wk HRHF animals. d and e IL-10 and corticosterone levels were highest in the 10-wk HRHF+TM animals, compared to the other groups. f IL-6 levels did not differ between groups. *: p < 0.05, **: p < 0.01, and ns = not significant, compared to groups as shown. Mean + 95% CI is shown for: FRC rats (n = 10 each analyte), TR-then-TM (n = 6), 10-wk HRHF rats (n = 8) and 10-wk HRHF+TM rats (n = 5)