Fig. 4

Effects of EE + CS on gene expressions of proinflammatory markers. The combination of EE and CS increased the mRNA expression levels of (A) IL-1β, (B) IL-6, (C) IL-13, and (D) IL-4. However, the combination did not alter the (E) mRNA expression and (F) serum levels of TNF-α. CS, chronic smoking; EE, Ethinylestradiol; V, vehicle; LV, left ventricular. Data were analysed for significance using two-way ANOVA. All bars represent mean ± SEM (^*P ≤ 0.05; ^**P ≤ 0.01; n = 2–6)