Numbers of apoptotic cellsa counted per coronal section at hippocampal level
| Animal group | TUNEL-positive cells | Activated caspase-3-positive cells |
|---|---|---|
| NBH | 5.3 ± 0.2 (n= 3) | ND |
| ME7 | 26.8 ± 1.6 (n= 3) | ND |
| NBH+LPS | 6.8 ± 0.5 (n= 5) | 1.4 ± 0.7 (n= 5) |
| ME7+LPS | 50.2 ± 2.3 (n=9)b | 12.2 ± 2.0 (n=5)b |
| ME7+saline | 27.8 ± 3.0 (n= 5) | 6.6 ± 1.3 (n= 6) |
Sections were taken between bregma −2.0 and bregma −2.5 mm, and all apoptotic cells in coronal sections were counted by two blinded observers. Counts in animals challenged intraperitoneally with saline or LPS were performed in brains perfused at 18 h after challenge. Apoptotic cells clearly identifiable as ependymal/endothelial/vascular were omitted. Counts were averaged across four coronal sections per animal and averaged across at least five animals in all key comparisons. Groups were compared statistically by ANOVA with Bonferroni's post hoc test.
↵ a As identified by both positive staining and by cell and nuclear morphology.
↵ b Denotes significant difference from ME7 alone or ME7 + saline, p<0.0167.