17β-Estradiol Regulates Microglia Activation and Polarization in the Hippocampus Following Global Cerebral Ischemia

Figure 2

Temporal pattern of microglia activation and morphological changes in the hippocampus after global cerebral ischemia and its regulation by estrogen. (a) Representative confocal images show Iba1 staining of microglia cells in the hippocampal CA1 region of control animals (sham and E2) and at days 1, 3, and 7 after global cerebral ischemia (GCI). This activation and morphological changes are suppressed under the effect of E2 as shown in the lower panel (magnification = 40x, scale bar = 50 μm). (b) Intensity quantification of Iba1 staining of controls and at days 1, 3, and 7 with and without E2 treatment after GCI. (c) Microglia cell count of controls and at days 1, 3, and 7 with and without E2 treatment after GCI. (d) Average cell area of controls and at days 1, 3, and 7 with and without E2 treatment after GCI (n = 5‐6 animals per group) (, controls, 1 and 3 day GCI versus 7 day GCI, , 7 day GCI versus 7 day GCI + E2, NS = not significant).

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