Endogenous Estrogen-Mediated Heme Oxygenase Regulation in Experimental Menopause

Figure 3

The levels of the proinflammatory cytokines interleukin- (IL-) 6 and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-) in control, ovariectomized (pharmacologically POVX and surgically OVX), and aged rats. (a) Cardiac LV IL-6 level (expressed as pg/mg protein) in control, ovariectomized (POVX, OVX), and aged rats. The IL-6 level was significantly increased in the ovariectomized rats as compared with the control. The aged group exhibited a more significant increase than that of the ovariectomized group. Data are shown as means ± S.E.M., = 8–10. Statistical significance: ^* relative to the control group, and ⁺ relative to the ovariectomized animals. (b) Cardiac LV tumor necrosis factor-alpha concentration (TNF-; expressed as pg/mg protein) in control, ovariectomized (POVX, OVX), and aged rats. The TNF- concentration was significantly higher in the ovariectomized and aged animals. Data are expressed as means ± S.E.M., = 6–8. Statistical significance: ^* relative to the control (sham-operated) group.

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