Inhibition of the HMGB-induced TNFα production by catecholamines and glucocorticoids <i>in vivo</i>.

<p>Balb/c male mice (Charles River Laboratories) were injected with 0.5 mg/kg HMGB1 in the presence of 60 min pretreatment of either vehicle, or 20 mg/kg prednisolone, 10 mg/kg salbutamol, the combination of prednisolone and salbutamol (doses as above), or the glucocorticoid receptor blocker mifepristone (30 mg/kg) or the β-receptor antagonist propranolol (10 mg/kg). At 8 hours after HMGB1 injection, animals were sacrificed and serum levels of TNFα were measured. ^#p<0.05 represents a significant increase in TNFα serum levels in response to HMGB1; *p<0.05 represents significant inhibition of HMGB1-induced TNFα production by the various pharmacological agents indicated. n = 7 animals per group.