Figure 4

Serum levels of IL-1β and TNF-α. Effects of heat exposure (42°C) on serum levels of interleukin-1β (IL-1β) and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) in normothermic control rats (white bar), 0.9% NaCl solution (11 ml/kg)-treated (black bar), DXM (4 mg/kg)-treated (diagonal bar), HES (10%, 11 ml/kg)-treated (cross bar) or the combined agent (DXM+HES)-treated rats (gray bar). *P < 0.05, compared with normothermic control rats. ⁺ P < 0.05, compared with saline-treated rats (Ta = 42°C for 80 min). ^# P < 0.05, compared with HES-treated rats (Ta = 42°C for 80 min). (ANOVA followed by Duncan's test). The blood samples were acquired after 100 min the initiation heat exposure in heat stroke rats or the equivalent time in normothermic controls.