Figure 2
FLZ functionally and morphologically protects DA neurons from LPS-induced neurotoxicity in rat mid-brain neuron-glia culture. Neuronal-glial cultures were pre-treated with different concentrations of FLZ for 1 h followed by 2 ng/ml LPS; 7 days later, DA neurotoxicity was measured by [3H]-DA uptake assay (A) and by immunocytochemical analysis. Representative pictures of immunoreactions are shown in (B) and TH neuron counts are shown in (C). For assessment of FLZ treatment following neurotoxic insult, neuronal-glial cultures were first treated with 2 ng/ml LPS. Then, 0, 0.5, 1, 2, and 3 h later, 10 μM FLZ was added to the cultures. DA neurotoxicity was measured by [3H]-DA uptake assay 7 days later (D). The data are expressed as percentages of control culture values, and represent the mean ± S.E.M. for three independent experiments, each performed with triplicate samples. ## p < 0.01 and ### p < 0.001 compared with vehicle-treated control cultures; * p < 0.05, ** p < 0.01 and *** p < 0.001 compared to LPS treatment group. Scale bar, 100 μm.