Fig. 1

LPS-induced white matter brain injury. a The area of white matter was evaluated by MBP staining on postnatal day 12. Representative images from each group. From the left, the saline group and LPS group are shown. Scale bar: 100 μm. b Quantitative analysis of the MBP-positive areas in each group. Four sections were evaluated per pup. N = 21 and 18 in each group, values indicate means ± S.E. *, p < 0.05; assessed by t test. c The areas of white matter was evaluated by caspase-3 staining on postnatal day 12. Representative images of each group. From the left, the saline group and LPS group are shown. Scale bar: 100 μm. d Quantitative analysis of the caspase-3-positive area in each group. Four sections were evaluated per pup. N = 8 per group, values indicate means ± S.E. *; p < 0.05; assessed by t test. e IFN-γ levels in sera were assayed by ELISA at 6 h after LPS injection and compared with levels in the saline group. f The mRNA levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines and chemokines in brain tissues at 48 h after LPS treatment were determined by quantitative real-time reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR). Relative mRNA expression levels of IL-6, TNF-α, IL-1β, and MCP-1 compared with levels in the saline group. N = 5, values indicate means ± S.E. *, p < 0.05; assessed by t test