Fig. 3.

TBN activates PGC-1α/Nrf2 pathway in MPP⁺-induced primary midbrain neurons injury. Primary midbrain neurons were pre-treated with indicated concentrations of TBN for 2 h followed by treatment with 20 μM MPP⁺ for 24 h (A and B). (A, B) Western blot for expression of MEF2D, SIRT1, and PGC-1α in MPP⁺-treated neurons. Data are expressed as mean ± SD of three independent experiments. Data were analyzed using Kruskal-Wallis test followed by Dunn’s multiple comparisons test (MEF2D) or one-way ANOVA followed by Dunnett’s multiple comparisons test (SIRT1 and PGC-1α). (C) Silencing of PGC-1α by specific siRNA abolished the protective effect of TBN in MPP⁺-treated neurons. Data are expressed as mean ± SD of three independent experiments. Data were analyzed using the Brown-Forsythe and Welch ANOVA test. (D, E) TBN increased MEF- and CRE-dependent PGC-1α promoter transcriptional activity. Data are expressed as mean ± SD of three independent experiments. Data were analyzed using two-way ANOVA followed by Tukey’s multiple comparisons test. *P < 0.05 and ^***P < 0.001 versus untreated control group. ^#P < 0.05, ^##P < 0.01 and ^###P < 0.001 versus MPP⁺ alone group. ^&&&P < 0.001.