Figure 5.

Hepatocytic ATF3 inhibits ROS production and apoptosis A–F: C57BL/6J mice were i.v. injected with AAV8-ALB-Null or AAV8-ALB-hATF3 and then fed the HFCF diet for 16 weeks. Hepatic ROS (A) and MDA (B) levels were determined (n = 7–8). DCF, 2′,7′-dichlorofluorescein. C and D: TUNEL assays were performed to analyze hepatic apoptosis (% cells) (n = 5–6). Hepatic protein levels were analyzed by Western blot assays (E) and then quantified (F) (n = 6). F: Shows the ratio of phosphorylated (P) to total (T) Smad2/3. G–L: Atf3^fl/fl mice and Atf3^Hep−/− mice were fed the HFCF diet for 16 weeks. Hepatic ROS (G) and MDA (H) levels were quantified (n = 7). I and J: Hepatic apoptosis levels were determined by TUNEL assays (n = 6). K and L: Hepatic protein levels were determined by Western blot assays (n = 6). All values are expressed as mean ± SEM. *P < 0.05, **P < 0.01 vs. controls.