The Effect of Pitavastatin-NP on Akt Phosphorylation, Oxidative Stress and Apoptosis in Mini-Pigs.

<p><b>(A)</b> Tissues from the ischemic and non-ischemic areas were analyzed by immunoblotting for phosphorylated Akt in the control and pitavastatin-NP (16 mg/body of pitavastatin) groups. The bar graph indicates the ratio of phosphorylated Akt to Akt. The data are expressed as means ± SD (n = 4–5 each) and were compared using an unpaired <i>t</i>-test. <b>(B)</b> Immunostaining with 8-OHdG and 4-HNE in the control and pitavastatin-NP (16 mg/body of pitavastatin) groups. The bar graph indicates the percentage of 8-OHdG-positive nuclei and 4-HNE-positive areas in 5 randomly selected fields. The data are expressed as means ± SD (n = 4–5 each) and were compared using an unpaired <i>t</i>-test. Scale bar: 100 μm. <b>(C)</b> TUNEL staining of the ischemic areas in the control and pitavastatin-NP (16 mg/body of pitavastatin) groups. Nuclei are counter stained with propidium iodide (PI). The bar graph indicates the percentage of TUNEL-positive cells in 5 randomly selected fields. The data are expressed as means ± SD (n = 4–5 each) and were compared using an unpaired <i>t</i>-test. Scale bar: 200 μm. NC: negative control.