Fig. 3.

Effects of specific COX-2 inhibitor DFU on MPP⁺-induced VM dopaminergic neurotoxicity and cell apoptosis. MPP⁺ (20 μM)-treated cells were incubated with two concentrations (10 and 100 nM) of DFU. a LDH release, b MTT assay, and c quantification of apoptosis among TH-positive cells were performed at 48 h after treatment with MPP⁺. Data are expressed as percent of values of untreated control cells and are means ± S.D. of three independent experiments. All treatments were performed in duplicate and data expressed were averaged values of all cells counted in each condition. The results were compared by one-way ANOVA and Newman–Keuls test. ^# p < 0.05 vs. control cells treated with saline, and 10 and 100 nM DFU; *p < 0.05 vs. MPP⁺ alone