ERK1/2-Egr-1 Signaling Pathway-Mediated Protective Effects of Electroacupuncture in a Mouse Model of Myocardial Ischemia-Reperfusion

Figure 4

ERK1/2 activation is responsible for Egr-1expression during myocardial I/R injury. Mice received U0126 (an inhibitor of ERK1/2 kinase, 20 mg/kg, i.p.) or its vehicle 0.1% v/v DMSO treatment before surgery. As described previously, myocardial expression of Egr-1 and p-ERK1/2 was measured using western blot (a). The corresponding densitometric analysis is shown in (b-c) (𝑛=3/group). The mRNA levels of Egr-1 are shown as fold increase versus U0126 + IR (d, 𝑛=3/group). Immunohistochemical staining of Egr-1 was performed and the quantitation results of Egr-1positive cells were shown in panel (e). Representative images were shown in panel (f) (3 mice /group). Pink arrows indicate Egr-1positive cells. Scale bar = 50 μm. ^∗𝑃<0.05 and ^#𝑃<0.01 versus DMSO + IR control.

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