Figure 3

DHA promotes small LB formation in N9 microglial cultures and normalizes LPS-induced p38 phosphorylation. A Examples of LB formation from control and treated N9 microglial cultures. In the presence of DHA, more small (<0.5 μm) LBs are present compared to other conditions. LPS-treated culture microglial cells have fewer LBs compared to others. Scale bar 10 μm. B LB densities under different treatments. *p < 0.05. C LB volumes under different treatments. *p < 0.05. D Western blot analysis of Plin-2 and -3 following treatment of LPS and/or DHA. There was an increase in Plin-2 levels following LPS and DHA treatment. However, DHA greatly increased Plin-2 even in the presence of LPS. E Plin-2 and -3 ratios under various treatments. *p < 0.05. F Western blot analysis of p38 phosphorylation following LPS and DHA treatment. LPS treatment increases the p38 phosphorylation dramatically after a 5-min treatment. The phosphorylated p38 level reached a maximum 15 min following the addition of LPS. DHA treatment prevented this acute increase in p38 phosphorylation. G Ratios of phosphorylated versus unphosphorylated p38 levels as revealed by Western blot analysis following different treatments. *p < 0.05.