FIG. 3.
This bar graph shows cerebral vascular reactivity to 10−7M and 10−5M acetylcholine (ACh) at 3 and 4 h after the second insult. The percent changes from baseline cerebral vascular diameter following exposure to ACh were compared between groups in each measurement time point. In Group 1, without treatment group, cerebral vascular responses were significantly lower than those in the other groups at all measurement points. Partial preservation of cerebral vascular response to ACh was observed in all therapeutic intervention groups (Group 2, Group 3, and Group 4). While there were no significant differences between Group 2, Group 3, and Group 4 at ACh concentration of 10−7M, the cerebral vascular response at 10−5M ACh in Group 2 was significantly lower than in Group 3 and Group 4 at 3 h after the second insult, as well as in Group 4 at 4 h after the second insult (*significant difference at p<0.001; **significant difference at p<0.005). Statistical differences were analyzed by the Kruskal-Wallis test, followed by the Bonferroni test for multiple comparisons. All values are expressed as mean±standard error of the mean. ACh, acetylcholine.