Fig. 5

Dexamethasone pretreatment did not prevent the LPS-induced increase in LCN2. The serum and urinary LCN2 levels were examined after pretreatment with a vehicle (saline) or dexamethasone (Dex, 5 mg/kg) 1 h prior to the administration of saline or LPS (1 mg/kg i.p.). The LPS treatment significantly increased serum CRP (a) and IL-1β (b) levels. Dexamethasone pretreatment suppressed an increase of serum IL-1β, but not of CRP. The serum (c) and urinary (d) LCN2 protein levels were significantly increased by LPS treatment (p < 0.05). However, Dex treatment did not change the serum or urinary LCN2 levels. The values shown were the signal intensities relative to those of the samples from mice administered the vehicle and saline. S, saline treatment; and L, LPS treatment. (n = 5) *, P <0.05 vs. saline