Fig. 4

PSCI-associated gut microbiota promotes hippocampal apoptosis and thalamic Aβ deposition. a Morphology of the ileum was assessed using H&E staining (scale bar = 100 μm) and the average villus height and crypt depth was analyzed. b Expression of intestinal TLR-4 protein in the three groups. c Levels of LPS, LBP, IL-6, IL-1β and TNF-α in the peripheral blood. d Expression of cerebral tight junction proteins ZO-1, Occludin and Claudin-4 in the three groups. e Double immunostaining for Iba-1 (microglial marker) and f Nissl staining, and g TUNEL staining were performed in the hippocampal CA1 region to detect apoptotic neurons, and h Aβ staining was performed in the thalamus (scale bar = 50 μm). The cells were counted per 40× field of view (FOV). Data are expressed as mean ± SEM, n = 10–12 mice per group, one-way ANOVA, *P < .05, **P < .01, ***P < .001, ****P < .0001