Fig. 3

Protection of neurofilament through minocycline. a Optic nerve neurofilament was stained with SMI-32 (red), apoptotic cells with cleaved caspase 3 (green), and cell nuclei with DAPI (blue). b An increased SMI-32 score, indicating loss of optic nerve structure, was noted in the S100B group compared to both control groups. Minocycline application showed a dose-dependent prevention of optic nerve destruction. c A higher apoptotic rate was noted in the S100B group compared to both controls. Minocycline treatment reduced the number of cleaved caspase 3⁺ cells in a dose-dependent manner. Scale bar: 20 μm, n = 6/group, *p < 0.05, **p < 0.01, ***p < 0.001 vs. naïve group, ^##p < 0.01 vs. PBS group, ^¥¥p < 0.01 vs. S100B group