*2.8. Kn-Ba Induced High Levels of TNF and IL-6, Whereas BaV Is Involved in the IL-1β Production in THP-1 Macrophages*

The cytokine concentrations produced in response to highest doses of BaV (15 μg/well) and Kn-Ba (1 μg/well) were compared. As shown in Figure 5, the increased productions of TNF and IL-6 in response to Kn-Ba were evident. However, the highest concentration of IL-1β was detected mainly in response to BaV, suggesting that this important inflammatory cytokine is produced in response to other components present in BaV.

**Figure 5.** *Cont*.

**Figure 5.** Comparison between cytokine productions induced by higher doses of BaV and Kn-Ba. THP-1 macrophages (2 <sup>×</sup> <sup>10</sup><sup>5</sup> cells/well) were treated with higher concentrations of BaV (15 <sup>μ</sup>g/well) and Kn-Ba (1 μg/well). Cells incubated only with culture medium were used as control. After 24 h, 48 h, and 72 h, the production of cytokines was evaluated in culture supernatant by CBA. (**a**) TNF, (**b**) IL-6 and (**c**) IL-1β. Results expressed as mean of duplicates ± SEM and analyzed by one-way ANOVA followed by Tukey's post-test (each period compared with respective control) or two-way ANOVA followed by Tukey's post-test (comparison between different periods of treatment). (\*) Significant difference in relation to the respective control. (#) Significant difference between stimuli on each period. Symbols indicate differences between periods of treatment: (α) difference of 48 h or 72 h compared to 24 h; (β) difference from 72 h to 48 h. *p* < 0.01 (\*\*); and *p* < 0.0001 (\*\*\*\* and ####).
