Following 14 days of denervation, apoptosis is evident based on the elevation of apoptotic DNA fragmentation and PARP cleavage. Regarding the mitochondrial apoptotic signalling, pro-apoptotic Bax dramatically increases while anti-apoptotic Bcl-2 is modestly upregulated resulting in an increase in Bax/Bcl-2 ratio. Cytosolic release of mitochondria-residing apoptotic factors including cytochrome c (Cyto c) and Smac/DIABLO are found concomitant with the activation of caspases (Casp)-9 and -3. XIAP, a potent inhibitor of caspases is downregulated, whereas p53 is markedly elevated in both nuclei and cytosol. Moreover, mitochondrial AIF is found to be released to the cytosol in the absence of nuclear translocation. ICAD, inhibitor of caspase-activated DNase; CAD, caspase-activated DNase.