Magnesium increases synaptic proteins in the hippocampus of ICV-STZ-treated rats.

<p>Rats were divided into sham operated control (Con), sham operated plus 100 mg/kg magnesium control (Mg), STZ ICV (STZ) or STZ ICV plus 100 mg/kg magnesium (STZ+Mg) groups and treated as shown in <a href="http://www.plosone.org/article/info:doi/10.1371/journal.pone.0108645#pone-0108645-g001" target="_blank">Figure 1A</a>. The levels of presynaptic and postsynaptic proteins in whole hippocampal extracts were measured using Western blotting (A) and quantitative analysis (B). The expression of synapsin I, PSD95, PSD93, GluR1 and GluR2 was significantly reduced in the hippocampus of ICV-STZ-treated rats, while supplementation of magnesium restored the levels. Levels of synaptophysin, NR2A and NR2B were not significantly changed. Data were presented as means ± SD. *<i>P</i><0.05 versus the control group, <i>#P</i><0.05 versus the STZ group.