Fig. 1

10% HS attenuates the expression of Notch-1 and NICD in peri-ischemic brain tissue. a The immunoreactive bands of Notch-1 (120 kDa), NICD (110 kDa), and β-actin (42 kDa), respectively. Bar graphs b, c show the protein expression of Notch-1 and NICD are significantly up-regulated in I/R and NS peri-ischemic brain tissues compared to the sham group (*P < 0.05) at 12 and 24 h; however, it is markedly attenuated following treatment with 10% HS at 12 h or 24 h (#P < 0.05). The values represent the mean ± SD in triplicate. d The immunofluorescence of Notch-1 (G, J, M, P, red), lectin⁺ microglia (F, I, L, O, green) and the co-localization of Notch-1 and microglia (H, K, N, Q). e The immunofluorescence of NICD (G, J, M, P, red), lectin⁺ microglia (F, I, L, O, green) and the co-localization of NICD and microglia (H, K, N, Q). The results also show that Notch-1 and NICD in activated microglia cells around the peri-ischemia cortex are markedly increased in I/R and NS rats and decreased following treatment with 10% HS for 24 h. HS hypertonic saline, I/R ischemic–reperfusion injury, NS normal saline, NICD Notch intracellular domain, ns no significant difference. Scale bars in F–Q 20 μm