Fig. 1

Effects of 17 α-E2 and 17 β-E2 on mouse embryonic fibroblast (MEF) cells derived from C57BL/6J female and male mice. a Cells were pre-treated with vehicle (control and LPS groups) or estrogens for 1 h (LPS + 17 α-E2 and LPS + 17 β-E2 groups). Following which, the media was changed to either new media plus LPS (LPS group), or LPS + 17 α-E2 (LPS + 17 α-E2 group), or LPS + 17 β-E2 (LPS + 17 β-E2 group) for 2 h. b All groups were pre-treated overnight (approximately 12 h) with 17 α-E2 (control, LPS, and LPS + 17 α-E2 groups). Media was replaced on the next day by new media supplemented with LPS (LPS groups), or LPS + 17 α-E2 (LPS + 17 α-E2 group) for 2 h. c All groups were pre-treated overnight (approximately 12 h) with 17 β-E2 (control, LPS, and LPS + 17 β-E2 groups). Media was replaced on the next day by new media supplemented with LPS (LPS groups), or LPS + 17 β-E2 (LPS + 17 β-E2 group) for 2 h. Relative mRNA expression of Tnf-α (a–b), and Il-6 (c–d). Data are presented as mean ± SEM values. Asterisk indicates P < 0.05 × control group (C). Pound indicates P < 0.05 × LPS group. Dollar sign indicates P < 0.05 × LPS + 17 α-E2 group. Two asterisks indicates P < 0.05 × LPS + 17 β-E2 group (n = 3 independent rounds of cells)