Figure 4

Histopathological analysis by cresyl violet, GFAP, and Bcl-2 staining. Cresyl violet staining revealed few numbers of neurons in saline-treated SOD1G93A mice, and higher numbers in non-transgenic and GH-treated SOD1G93A mice (A). GFAP immunoreactivity was observed at very low levels in non-transgenic mice, and at significantly higher levels in saline-treated SOD1G93A mice (B). Increasing GFAP immunoreactivities in saline-treated SOD1G93A mice were attenuated by GH treatment. Bcl-2 staining (C) is stronger in GH-treated SOD1G93A mice than in saline-treated SOD1G93A mice. (×200) The number of motor neurons is significantly higher in the non-transgenic and GH-treated SOD1G93A mice (p = 0.027) (D). Results are expressed as mean values and SD (*p < 0.05).