Effect of N-Acetyl Cysteine on Intracerebroventricular Colchicine Induced Cognitive Deficits, Beta Amyloid Pathology, and Glial Cells

Figure 7

Photomicrographs of the prefrontal cortical regions in different groups of rats immunostained for glial acidic protein (GFAP) to label the astrocytes. Note large number of astrocytes in AD and AD+NAC group in all regions. The number of GFAP positive astrocytes was more in AD and AD+NAC treated groups (AD+NAC 100) (photomicrographs of sham and AD+NAC 50 groups are avoided for simplicity). Scale bar= 25μ). Graph shows quantitative estimation of number of GFAP positive astrocytes in various regions of the prefrontal cortex. In all regions 300μ2 area was selected for quantification. Note that, in all regions, the number of astrocytes was significantly increased in AD and AD+ NAC 50, AD+NAC 100 groups compared to control group. Values are expressed as mean ±SE. Control/sham versus AD: ∗∗∗, p<0.001; control/sham versus AD+NAC50; or control/sham versus AD+NAC100: $$$, p<0.001 (one-way ANOVA, Bonferroni’s multiple comparison test, and n=6 in all groups). MFC-Media prefrontal cortex, OFC-Orbital prefrontal cortex, and LFC-Lateral prefrontal cortex.