Figure 9.

Caspase-3 levels as determined Western blot assays and RT-PCR. (A) Representative images. (B) Quantitative analysis of the cleaved caspase-3. Relative levels of cleaved caspase-3 were increased markedly in HG-treated cells compared to normal glucose conditions. Addition of quercetin reduced caspase-3 cleavage induced by HG in a dose-dependent manner. Intact caspase-3 levels were similar across all five groups. (C) Relative mRNA transcript levels of caspase-3. Quercetin normalized the mRNA levels of caspase-3, but not in parallel with caspase-3 protein, which indicates that quercetin decreases the apoptosis of DRG neurons mainly by inhibiting the cleavage of caspase-3. Quantitative data are expressed as the mean±SEM from three independent experiments. ^bP<0.05, ^cP<0.01 vs CON. ^eP<0.05, ^fP<0.01 vs HG.