Figure 9

The specific inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) inhibitor N -(3-(aminomethyl)benzyl)acetamidine (1400 W) protected neurons from unpredictable chronic mild stress (UCMS)-induced damage. Mice were subjected to various stressors in the presence or absence of the iNOS inhibitor 1400 W for 4 weeks. Undamaged neurons in the cerebral cortex were measured by Nissl staining. (A,B) Representative slides of Nissl staining at two different magnifications ((A) × 10, (B) × 40). In the control group and stress plus 1400 W group, neurons with round cell bodies, visible nucleus and abundant Nissl bodies were observed, while in stress group, Nissl-positive cells with dark staining in which the nucleus were not discernable were obviously increased. (C) Cell counts. The number of undamaged cells in the stress group was significantly lower than that of the control group and stress + 1400 W group. Data are mean ± SEM (n = 3 in each group). ^** P <0.01 for each comparison.