Fig. 4.

Bcl-2/Bax ratio was determined by western blot in MICs under isotonic conditions (0 hour) and after exposure to 600 mosmol/L medium tonicity for 6, 12 and 24 hours. Compared to isotonic controls, the Bcl-2/Bax ratio markedly decreased at 6, 12 and 24 hours following exposure to hypertonic culture conditions. Preincubation of MICs with 1 mmol/L betaine markedly inhibited Bax expression at 6, 12 and 24 hours of hypertonicity and reversed the ratio in favor of Bcl-2. Western blot is representative of four individual experiments. Values in graph blot are mean±SEM of n=4. *p<0.05 compared to identical time point without betaine treatment.