Fig. 2

Inhibitory effect of lycopene on IL-6 expression in cerulein-stimulated pancreatic acinar cells. Acinar cells were treated with lycopene (2 or 5 μmol/l) for 2 h prior to stimulation with cerulein (10⁻⁸ M). The cells were stimulated with cerulein for 3 h (for mRNA expression, a) or 8 h (for IL-6 levels in the medium, b). mRNA expression of IL-6 was determined by RT–PCR analysis (a, upper panel) and by real-time RT–PCR analysis (a, lower panel). The IL-6 concentration in the medium was expressed as % of control. None, without cerulein stimulation; Control, cells stimulated with cerulein. *P < 0.05 versus none; ⁺ P < 0.05 versus control