Western blot analysis of the protein expression levels of caspase-3. (A) Representative western blot images and (B) quantification of caspase-3 protein expression levels. Low expression of caspase-3 was demonstrated in the rats of the sham group, while the TBI-model rats (post-TBI with saline) demonstrated a significant increase in the expression of caspase-3 compared with the sham group. When treated with DHA, the expression of caspase-3 was significantly reduced compared with that in rats of the TBI model group. #P<0.05 vs. the sham group; *P<0.05 vs. the TBI model group. TBI, traumatic brain injury; DHA, docosahexaenoic acid; low, low-dose DHA (370 mg/kg/day); high, high-dose DHA (740 mg/kg/day).