Fig. 5

AR^−/− mice show enhanced autophagy level by activating SIRT1–AMPK–mTOR signaling. A, B Representative images of SIRT1 and p-AMPK IF staining with NeuN-positive neurons. C, D Number changes in ipsilateral spinal SIRT1, p-AMPK and NeuN colocalization-positive neurons between AR^−/− and WT mice. E–H Representative images of spinal cord SIRT1, p-AMPK and p-mTOR protein expression normalized against a loading control (GAPDH) in AR^−/− and WT mice. Data were analyzed by two-way ANOVA and are presented as the mean ± SEM, n = 5 mice/group. ^####p < 0.0001, WT vs. sham group, ^{^^^^}p < 0.0001, AR^−/− vs. sham group, ****p < 0.0001, WT vs. sham group. Scale bar = 50 μm (A, B)