Figure 5.

TMP reduces MMP-9 expression and MMP activity in the brain. (A) The MMP-9 expression level in the brains of TMP- or saline-treated rats was determined by western blotting. (B) Quantitative data of the western blot bands of MMP-9 expression. The average band intensity of MMP-9 was quantified with ImageJ-1.38x software (National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA) and presented as a bar graph. (C) MMP activity in cryosections in each group was determined in situ, using a fluorescence-conjugated substrate. Data are expressed as the mean ± standard deviation, n=6. *P<0.05. TMP, 2,3,5,6-tetramethylpyrazine; MMP, matrix metalloproteinase.