Fig. 3

10% HS attenuates the expression of inflammatory mediator iNOS in peri-ischemic brain tissue. a iNOS (130 kDa) and β-actin (42 kDa) immunoreactive bands, respectively. b The protein expression of iNOS in I/R and NS rats is significantly up-regulated when compared to the sham group at 12 and 24 h after reperfusion (*P < 0.05); however, iNOS protein expression is drastically attenuated following treatment with 10% HS at 12 and 24 h when compares to I/R group and NS group (*P < 0.05); The values represent the mean ± SD in triplicate. Immunofluorescence images show the expression of iNOS (red) and lectin⁺ microglia (green) in the sham group (D–F) and in the penumbral zones of I/R group (G–I), NS group (J–L), and HS group (M–O) after reperfusion for 24 h. Note that there is a noticeable increase of iNOS expression in activated microglia around the peri-ischemia cortex in I/R and NS rats. however, iNOS expression is depressed in activated microglia following treatment with 10% HS 24 h. HS hypertonic saline, I/R ischemic–reperfusion injury, NS normal saline, ns no significant difference. Scale bars in D–O 20 μm