Fig. 3. The role of protein kinase C-δ in sevoflurane (SEVO)-induced cardioprotection in functional experiments. Recovery of force (F^dev,rec) is expressed as percentage of initial force (F^dev,start) for different groups. (a ) Chelerythrine (CHEL) abolished the protective effect of sevoflurane on contractile function as is represented but showed no intrinsic protective effect. (b ) Similar results were observed for the protein kinase C-δ–specific inhibitor rottlerin (ROT). †P < 0.05 versus  simulated ischemia (SI), SI + SEVO + inhibitor, and SI + inhibitor.