Figure 2.

NAE 18:2 protects RGC layer neurons from glutamate excitotoxicity. A) Exposure of retinas to 100 μM glutamate resulted in a dramatic increase in RGC layer neuron death (red arrows). Preincubation of retinas with NAE 18:2 for 6 hours prior to glutamate exposure resulted in a dose-dependent decrease in the number apoptotic, TUNEL-positive RGC layer neurons, with high physiological concentrations reducing the number of apoptotic neurons. RGCs were identified by Thy 1.2 immunoreactivity and location.¹⁵,³² B) Quantitative summary data for the NAE 18:2-mediated neuroprotection from glutamate toxicity as measured by TUNEL histochemistry.

Notes: *denotes P < 0.05, as determined by a one-way analysis of variance test. Scale bar: 50 μM.

Abbreviations: DIC, differential interference contrast; NAE, N-acylethanolamide; RGC, retinal ganglion cell; TUNEL, terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated dUTP (2′-deoxyuridine 5′-triphosphate) nick-end labeling – green fluorescence.