Figure 4

Sustained feeding of Ubisol-Q ₁₀ is needed for neuroprotection. (A) The experimental plan demonstrating the injection regime and treatment schedule. (B) Immunohistochemistry performed using anti-tyrosine hydroxylase antibodies on the brain sections of animals. Representative images of midbrain sections showing TH positive neurons at lower and higher magnifications from saline injected control group rats, PQ injected rats fed with regular drinking water dissected 8 weeks after last injection (PQ3), PQ injected rats fed with Ubisol – Q₁₀ supplemented drinking water for 4 weeks followed by regular drinking water for 4 weeks after last injection with PQ and dissected 8 weeks after last injection (PQ3 + Ubisol – Q₁₀ 4 weeks group), PQ injected rats fed with Ubisol – Q₁₀ supplemented drinking water for 8 weeks after last injection with PQ and dissected 8 weeks after last injection (PQ3 + Ubisol – Q₁₀ 8 weeks group). The area of SN which is to be counted is selected in every 6^th section of the midbrain (sectioned at 30 microns thickness). The total number of TH positive neurons in the SNpc region was counted at high magnification using the stereology software purchased from the Stereology Resource Centre, Inc., Florida. (C) The percentage decrease in TH positive neurons between the saline injected control and PQ injected treated and untreated groups. There is a significant 47% decrease in the TH positive neurons in the PQ3 group in comparison with the saline injected control group (*p < 0.05) and loss of 28% neurons in the PQ3 + Ubisol-Q₁₀ 4 weeks group. A 14% decrease in TH positive neurons is seen in the treated PQ3 + Ubisol-Q₁₀ 8 weeks (**p < 0.05) indicating significant neuroprotection when compared to the PQ3 group. The bars in the upper (low magnification) panel is 200 μm and in the lower (high magnification panel) 20 μm.