Cerebellum Susceptibility to Neonatal Asphyxia: Possible Protective Effects of N-Acetylcysteine Amide

Figure 2

In situ zymography of the cerebellum. Net in situ gelatinolytic activity increases in the nucleus of Purkinje cells in the cerebellum after hypoxia-resuscitation. Fluorescence photomicrographs of cerebellar sections displaying in situ zymography in pigs who were sham-operated, exposed to NACA after hypoxia, and vehicle-treated groups. Intranuclear fluorescence signal in Purkinje cells (white arrow) represents the proteolytic activity (green). An increase in fluorescence signal strength represents a higher degree of proteolytic activity. The graph represents the quantification of net gelatinolytic activity (in arbitrary units (AU) of fluorescence) for sham 52 (±12), NACA group 72 (±16), and vehicle-treated group 97 (±36). Values are given as mean ± SD. Hoechst dye was used as a nuclear marker (blue). Images are representative of pictures obtained from each group.