Benzo[a]pyrene induced the activation of both NF-κB and p38 MAPK, which were involved in the benzo[a]pyrene-increased IL-6 production in VSMCs.

<p>VSMCs were cultured in serum-free DMEM in the presence or absence of benzo[a]pyrene (10 μmol/L) for 0.25–4 h (A) or 5–30 min (B). The protein expressions of NF-κB-p65 (nuclear protein) and IκBα (A) and phospho-p38/p38 MAPK (B) were determined by Western blotting. The protein fold changes, which were normalized to C23, α-tubulin, or p38, were shown below each blot. Experiments were repeated three times. One representative experiment is shown. (C) VSMCs were cultured in serum-free DMEM in the presence or absence of benzo[a]pyrene for 24 h. The IL-6 production was measured by ELISA. Data are represented as mean ± SEM from three independent experiments. *<i>P</i> < 0.05 as compared with control. #<i>P</i> < 0.05 as compared with benzo[a]pyrene alone.