To test whether stoichiometry between components of the NF-κB system was altered in alcoholics we analyzed the ratio of levels of p65/p50, IKKβ/p65 and IKKβ/p50 proteins and respective mRNAs. The p65/p50 protein ratio was significantly decreased (1.23-fold; Mann Whitney U-test, Z1,28 = 2.38, P = 0.017) while the IKKβ/p65 protein ratio increased (1.44-fold; stepwise linear regression, F2,27 = 5.78, P = 0.023, covariate age) in the PFC of alcoholics (Figure 2A; n = 15). There was a significant age×group interaction with a negative correlation to age in both groups.
