Figure 5.

Spirulina preserved expression of antioxidative molecules in the retina. (A, B) The mRNA levels of SOD2 (A) and HO-1 (B) in the retina were increased 6 hours after light exposure, both with and without Spirulina supplementation. (C) Immunohistochemistry for rhodopsin and Nrf2, a transcription factor upstream of SOD2 and HO-1, with nuclear counter staining with DAPI 24 hours after light exposure. Insets show magnified regions. (C, D) Nrf2 was expressed in the photoreceptor nuclei after light exposure, a condition preserved after Spirulina administration. n = 5 in each group; **P < 0.01. Scale bar, 100 μm.