Fig. 5

ZP1609 promotes GJs-CX43 expression and reconstitutes GJ-mediated astrocyte network, and inhibits the inflammatory response of primary astrocytes after receiving a long-term isoflurane anesthesia. a Upper panel showed representative total Cx43 protein bands in astrocytes for the different treatment groups and lower panel were quantifications (n = 6/group). Two representative samples per group are shown. b Upper panel showed representative Cx43-soluble protein fractions in astrocytes for the different treatment groups and lower panel were quantifications (n = 6/group). Two representative samples per group are shown. c Upper panel showed representative Cx43-insoluble protein fractions in astrocytes for the different treatment groups and lower panel were quantifications (n = 6/group). Two representative samples per group are shown. d Representative fluorescent punctas represent GJs-Cx43 of the different treatment groups. Scale bar = 20 μm. e Quantification of the immunofluorescence signals from the immunofluorescence microscopy experiments (n = 6/group). f Representative lucifer yellow diffusion images in scrape-loading dye transfer. Scale bar = 200 μm. g The intensity of lucifer yellow and diffusion distance. The dashed line represents the mean value of LH fluorescence intensity at a specific distance, the shaded part represents SEM, and the solid line represents the fitted curve of LH fluorescence intensity versus diffusion distance (n = 6/group). h Quantification of LH diffusion distance in different groups. i Representative images of EtBr uptake (red) of astrocyte (green) in different groups. j The relative fluorescence intensities of the astrocytes exposure to EtBr (n = 6/group). ZP1609 alleviated long-term isoflurane exposure-induced increased levels of IL-1β (k) and IL-6 (l) in primary astrocytes (n = 6/group). Data are presented as the mean ± SEM. ANOVA with Fisher’s PLSD test was used for statistical analysis. *p < 0.05; **p < 0.01; ***p < 0.001. Veh, vehicle (phosphate buffered saline)