TBHQ Alleviated Endoplasmic Reticulum Stress-Apoptosis and Oxidative Stress by PERK-Nrf2 Crosstalk in Methamphetamine-Induced Chronic Pulmonary Toxicity

Figure 5

Effect of MA and TBHQ on ERS-initiated apoptosis. (a) Apoptotic cytokines CHOP, bax, caspase 12 and caspase 3 expressed in different groups by western blot; (b) immunofluorescence assay for bax and bcl-2 in different groups (×400). Higher positive expression (green) of bax in MA group than in control group, but it is contrary to the expression of bcl-2, which can be reversed by TBHQ. (c) TUNEL assay in different groups (×400). TUNEL-positive staining is indicated by dark brown particles in cell nucleus. The proportion of apoptosis significantly increased in the MA group, compared with control group. Yet it decreased in the MA + TBHQ group. Values are expressed as mean ± SD (). , , compared with the control group; , , compared with the MA group. MA: methamphetamine; THBQ: tertiary butylhydroquinone.

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