rac-Talmapimod is a p38α-selective mitogen-activated protein kinase inhibitor, SD-282, to clinIcally used serum-free culture medium. By reducing interleukin 6 mRNA expression as well as IL-6, -8, granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor release and preventing β-cell apoptosis improved cultured human pancreatic islet cell recovery in serum-free medium. An α-isoform selective inhibitor for p38 MAP kinase