Figure 2.

VEGF gene expression assessed by RT-PCR in the affected brain region post HIBD in the different groups.

VEGF mRNA expression levels were quantified by scanning the optical density of the bands and normalizing against GAPDH. Data are expressed as the mean ± SD (5 rats per group). The data for the different groups were compared using one-way analysis of variance followed by Tukey's honestly significant difference test when an overall significance was detected. *P < 0.05, vs. CON group; #P < 0.05, vs. NSCs group or PBS group; †P < 0.05, vs. PBS group. NSCs: Neural stem/progenitor cells; CON: sham-operated control; PBS: phosphate-buffered saline; HIBD: hypoxic-ischemic brain damage; VEGF: vascular endothelial growth factor; M: marker; RT-PCR: reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction; GAPDH: Glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase.