Figure 4.

Inhibition of p38 MAP kinase or nitric oxide synthase prevents the Mix-induced membrane permeabilization through Cx43 hemichannels. a, Representative captures images showing the EthBr uptake in astrocytes treated for 24 h, either with Mix alone (a, Mix) or in presence of 1 mm l-name, 10 μm SB202190 (SB), or 10 mm DTT. In all experiments, l-name and SB202190 were coapplied for 24 h with Mix, whereas DTT was applied 10 min before dye uptake assay. Scale bar, 50 μm. b, Graph showing the inhibitory effect of l-Name, SB202190 (SB), and DTT on Mix-evoked dye uptake in astrocytes. Plotted data (mean ± SEM excepted for Mix that is taken as reference) are expressed as percentage of inhibition of dye uptake and are obtained from independent experiments. ***p < 0.001, compared with the Mix group.