Effects of inhibition of caspases by Z-VAD-FMK on apoptosis, expression of Mcl-1 and p21, and phosphorylation of Akt and JNK.

<p>U937 cells were pretreated with the caspase inhibitor Z-VAD-FMK (20 µM) for 1 h, followed by treatment with 80 µM DIM for 12 h and 24 h. (a) Cells were stained with Annexin V/PI, and apoptosis was determined using flow cytometry. **Values for cells treated with DIM and Z-VAD-FMK were significantly reduced compared to values obtained for DIM alone by Student's t-test, <i>p</i><0.01. (b–d) Total protein extracts were prepared and subjected to Western blot assay using antibodies as indicated.