Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor Attenuates Septic Myocardial Dysfunction via eNOS/NO Pathway in Rats

Figure 4

BDNF reduced cardiomyocyte apoptosis after septic shock that was reduced by L-NAME. (a and b) Visualization (400x magnification) and quantitation of TUNEL positive cells in heart tissue. (c) Bax and Bcl-2 protein expression. (d) Total and cleaved caspase-3 protein expression. Data are mean ± SEM, with animals per group. versus sham; ^# versus CLP; ^& versus CLP + rhBDNF. CLP: cecal ligation and puncture; rhBDNF: recombined BDNF protein.

(a)

(b)

(c)

(d)