Figure 7.

17β-Estradiol enhances cytochrome c oxidase activity and expression. A, Relative expression of COXI-IV mRNA. Total RNA was isolated from brain after 24 h exposure to 17β-estradiol (E₂, 30 μg/kg) or sesame oil vehicle control. Expression of COXI, COXII, COXIII, and COXIV mRNA was assessed by real-time RT-PCR. Bars represent mean relative expression ± SEM from six animals per group (*p < 0.05 compared with control; n = 6). B, Relative expression of COXIV protein and relative rate of cytochrome C oxidase activity. Tissue homogenates were isolated from brain after 24 h exposure to 17β-estradiol (E₂, 30 μg/kg) or sesame oil vehicle control. Expression of COXIV protein was assessed by Western blot analysis. Bars represent mean relative expression ± SEM from six animals per group (*p < 0.05 compared with control; n = 6).