Figure 5

Real-time PCR iNOS mRNA expression (graph A) and western blot analysis and protein quantification of iNOS expression (graph B) in the cortex 4.5 hours after lipopolysaccharide (LPS) administration for all LPS groups and the control group (SHAM, white bar). Graph C shows the results of the plasma nitrate/nitrite quantification from samples taken 4.5 hours after LPS administration. Besides a significant increase in the mRNA expression in all LPS groups (*, P < 0.05; **, P < 0.01 versus SHAM, graph A), there were no differences comparing the vagotomy (VGX LPS, gray bar), LPS-treated and sham-operated (SHAM + LPS, light gray bar) or vagus nerve-stimulated (VGX LPS + STIM, black bar) groups (n = 6 rats). All LPS groups showed a significant increase in iNOS protein compared to SHAM. Within the LPS groups vagotomy (VGX LPS, gray bar) and vagus nerve stimulation (VGX LPS + STIM, black bar) led to a further significant increase compared to SHAM LPS (light gray bar). **, P < 0.01, ***, P < 0.001 compared to SHAM; ^#, P < 0.01 VGX LPS + STIM versus SHAM LPS; $, P < 0.001 VGX LPS + STIM versus SHAM LPS. n = 3 rats each. Nitrite/nitrate significantly increased in all LPS groups compared to SHAM. Compared to SHAM LPS (light gray bar) and vagus nerve stimulation (VGX LPS + STIM) the VGX LPS (gray bar) group showed significant lower values. ***, P < 0.001 compared to SHAM; #, P < 0.001 compared to SHAM. n = 10 rats each. Data are given as the mean ± SEM.