Fig. 4.
Gene expression of pro-inflammatory (IL-6) and anti-inflammatory (IL-10) cytokine in the spleen of rats exposed to a single (1×) and repeated (14×) IMO (2 h daily). Single immobilization (IMO1; striped column) did not reveal any significant changes in mRNA of IL-6 either of IL-10 compared to the control, unstressed group of rats (CONT; empty column). Repeated IMO for 14 consecutive days (IMO14; black column) as well as adapted control (13×IMO + 24 h rest; AC; gray column) revealed significant increase of IL-6 mRNA (a) compared to the control, non-stressed rats. The IL-10 mRNA (b) decreased significantly only after repeated IMO (IMO14; black column), but this change was not pronounced in such an extent as in IL-6 mRNA. Values are displayed as mean ± SEM and represent an average of 7–8 animals. Statistical significance of IMO stress versus absolute control (empty column) represents * p < 0.05, ** p < 0.01 and *** p < 0.001, significance of repeated IMO versus adapted control (13×IMO + 24 h rest; AC; gray column) represents +++ p < 0.001