Figure 3

Activation of MEK1/2, ERK1/2 or MNK1/2 leads to phasic upregulation of NOS I/PKG cascade in RVLM during experimental brain stem death. Illustrative gels or summary of fold changes against aCSF controls in ratio of nitric oxide synthase I (NOS I) or protein kinase G (PKG) relative to β-actin protein detected in ventrolateral medulla of rats that received ERK activation inhibitor peptide II, U0126 or CGP57380 into bilateral RVLM, 30 min before induction of experimental brain stem death. Values are mean ± SEM of triplicate analyses on samples pooled from 5-7 animals per experimental group. *P < 0.05 versus aCSF group and ⁺P < 0.05 versus Mev group in the Scheffé multiple-range test.