Figure 1.
Effect of GGA on Hsp70 expression profiles.
Hsp70 mRNA expression (A) and protein expression (B) in cardiomyocytes were analyzed by qRT-PCR and Western blot analysis, respectively. (C) The protein expression was analyzed using Image-Pro Plus 6.0 software and normalized to GAPDH. RT/Vehicle, mice pretreated with vehicle and kept at room temperature acted as controls; RT/GGA, mice pretreated with GGA and kept at room temperature; HHS/Vehicle, mice pretreated with vehicle and treated with HHS; HHS/GGA, mice pretreated with GGA and treated with HHS. *p<0.05 and **p<0.01.
Figure 2.
Analysis of apoptotic cells by TUNEL staining.
Mean numbers of TUNEL-positive cells in a field of 500 × 500 μm. ** p<0.01.
Figure 3.
Effect of GGA on the mitochondria-mediated apoptotic pathway.
(A) Western blot analysis to examine the protein levels of Bcl-2, and cytochrome c in the cytosol and mitochondria in cardiomyocytes. The protein expression of Bcl-2 (B), cytochrome c in the cytosol (C), and mitochondria (D) was analyzed using Image-Pro Plus 6.0 software and normalized to GAPDH, α-tubulin, and VDAC, respectively. (E) Effect of GGA on caspase-3 activity. A total of 20 mg protein lysate of cardiomyocytes was examined by incubation with Ac-DEVD-MCA for 5 min at 37°C. The release of 7-amino-4-methylcoumarin was measured using a spectrofluorometer. * p<0.05 and ** p<0.01.
Figure 4.
Examination of the effects of GGA on levels of antioxidant and oxidant products.
(A) The activity of SOD was determined at 500 nm and the values are expressed as U/mg protein. (B) MDA levels were measured at 532 nm and the results are represented as nmol/mg protein. (C) GSH activity was detected at 420 nm and the data are expressed as mg/g protein. Three independent experiments were performed; * p<0.05 and ** p<0.01; ns indicates no significant difference.