Fig. 7

Effects of atorvastatin treatment on M1/M2 microglia/macrophage polarization after TBI. a Representative gating strategy of M1 microglia/macrophages (CD11b⁺CD86⁺), and M2 microglia/macrophages (CD11b⁺CD206⁺). b–d Quantitative analysis of the M1, M2 cells and the ratio of M2/M1 in the different groups. Atorvastatin-treated mice had significantly fewer M1 cells, more M2 cells, and higher M2/M1 ratio compared with saline-treated mice at at 72 h after TBI. e qRT-PCR results for the M1-type mRNA expression of MCP-1, iNOS and CD11b. f M2-type mRNA expression of Arg1, Ym1/2 and CD206. Expression levels of the mRNAs were normalized to that in the sham control. TBI induced a marked increase in both M1- and M2-type mRNA expression in the injured brains of mice compared with the sham groups. However, atorvastatin administration significantly attenuated M1 related gene expressions and promoted M2 related gene expressions compared with those in the TBI + saline group at 72 h post-injury. Data are presented as the mean ± SD. **P < 0.01 and ***p < 0.001 versus sham group, ^# p < 0.01, ^## p < 0.01, and ^### P < 0.001 versus TBI + saline group. n = 6/group