HT and HT+SEV significantly reduced up-regulation of IL-1β (HT 11±2-fold; HT+SEV 9±3-fold; p<0.05) and IL-6 mRNA-levels (HT 57±16-fold; HT+SEV 39±21-fold; p<0.05; Figure 5A). Here, IL1B is linked to hematocrit.