Protective Effects of N-Acetylcysteine in Concanavalin A-Induced Hepatitis in Mice

Figure 5

The effect of NAC on autophagy in ConA-induced hepatitis. (a) The expressions of LC3 and Beclin 1 on mRNA levels were detected by real-time PCR. Data are expressed as mean ± SD (; for ConA versus NAC 30 min; for NAC 30 min versus NAC 2 h). (b) The expressions of LC3 and Beclin 1 on protein levels were detected with western blot. The expressions of LC3 and Beclin 1 on protein levels of macrophages and hepatocytes were detected by western blot at 12 h time point. The results of western blot were analyzed with Quantity One. Data are expressed as mean ± SD (; for ConA versus NAC 30 min; for NAC 30 min versus NAC 2 h). (c) The expressions of LC3 and Beclin 1 on protein levels were detected by immunohistochemistry staining in hepatic tissues at 12 h (×200 and ×400 magnification). The positive cells were indicated with red arrows. The result was analyzed using Image-Pro Plus 6.0. Date are showed as mean ± SD (; for ConA versus NAC 30 min; for NAC 30 min versus NAC 2 h). (d) Morphology of autophagosomes in hepatocytes at 12 h detected by electron microscopy (×20000 magnification).

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