Neuroprotective effect of menaquinone-4 (MK-4) on transient global cerebral ischemia/reperfusion injury in rat
Fig 6
MK-4 application prevented apoptosis induction by I/R injury.
Using TUNEL staining, apoptotic cells were labeled in different hippocampal subregions. 24 h after reperfusion the number of TUNEL positive cells was increased in (A) CA1, (B) CA3 and (C) DG hippocampal subregions. However, MK-4 administration led to a reduction in apoptotic cell density induced by I/R injury. (Scale bar = 20 μm in representative examples of TUNEL staining). (D) The mRNA expression level of Bax and Bcl-2 genes was quantified using real-time PCR relative to GAPDH reference gene in rat’s hippocampus. I/R injury elevated Bax/Bcl-2 ratio in the hippocampus compared to control, but MK-4 administration significantly modulates the I/R-induced increase in Bax/Bcl-2 ratio. Data are presented as mean±SEM. *** p < 0.001 compared to control, ++ p < 0.01 and +++ p < 0.001 compared to I/R+MK4 group (n = 6).