Fig 3. Hydrogen gas inhibited decrease in MMP levels of PC12 cells during HBO therapy.

PC12 cells in logarithmic growth phase were exposed to the experimental gases for 3 h at 5 ATA and then stained using TMRM and MTGreen dyes. Fluorescence was detected using a Laser-Scanning Confocal Microscope. After HBO treatment, H₂ prevented the decline of the mitochondrial membrane potential, as detected by fluorescence of TMRM, which depends upon the mitochondrial membrane potential, whereas fluorescence levels of MTGreen, which are independent of the membrane potential, were unchanged. Representative results were shown from at least three repeats.