Figure 5

AQP4 mRNA and protein expression in the brain tissues of the LPS group, HS group, and control group. (a) AQP4 mRNA increased in LPS-treated mice at 8 hours and 12 hours following LPS injection, compared with the corresponding controls. However, it significantly decreased in the mice at 8 hours and 12 hours following LPS injection after treatment with 3% NaCl. β-actin was also included in the PCR reaction as a reference. (b) Shows AQP4 (33kD) and GAPDH (37kD) immunoreactive bands, respectively. (c)The optical density of AQP4 increased in LPS-treated mice at 8 hours and 12 hours following LPS injection, when compared with the corresponding controls. However, the optical density of AQP4 significantly decreased in the mice at 12 hours following LPS injection after treatment with 3% NaCl for 6 hours. (single star) P < 0.05, (two stars) P < 0.01 versus control group. (single triangle) P < 0.05, (two triangles) P < 0.01 versus LPS group. (single circle) P < 0.05, versus 8 hour group. AQP4, aquaporin 4; HS, hypertonic saline; LPS, lipopolysaccharide; PCR, polymerase chain reaction.