Endoplasmic Reticulum Stress Is Associated with the Mesencephalic Dopaminergic Neuron Injury in Stressed Rats

Figure 1

HE staining showed neurons injury in the VTA. a’-f’ are magnified of the black frame in (a–f), respectively. Representing pathological changes are shown in the top right corners of a’–f’. The tissue structure and cells were normal in the control group and RS+IS group at 1 day. Edema could be found in the neurons at 3 days and 7 days. However, with increasing stress exposure, some pyknotic neurons were visible at 14 days and 21 days.  μm in (a–f);  μm in a’-f’. VTA: ventral tegmental area; RS+IS: restraint stress plus ice-water swimming group.

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