Fig. 4

Protein expression pattern of HIF-1α and related genes in the brain homogenate of rats exposed to hypobaric hypoxia for 24 h at 7620 m. a Represents Western blot analysis of (i) HIF-1α and (ii) VEGF proteins in the brain of rats. b Depicts the HIF-1α-DNA-binding activity. Nuclear extracts were prepared and used to analyse the HIF-1-DNA binding by EMSA. The arrow indicates the position of HIF-1α and free probe. Hypobaric hypoxia increased the HIF-1α and VEGF protein levels in the brain of rats. Whereas pre-treatment of rats with curcumin and exposed to hypoxia maintained both HIF-1α and VEGF values compared to that of control. Values are mean ± SD (n = 6). ^a p < 0.001 compared with normoxia (0 h) group; ^d p < 0.05 compared with hypoxia (24 h) group. Nor normoxia, Hypo hypoxia, Cur curcumin (100 mg/kg BW)