Magnesium reverses ICV-STZ-induced dendritic spines and synapse impairments.

<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 representative morphology alterations of neurons in the hippocampal CA1 regions were displayed by Golgi staining. Representative photomicrographs of primary dendrites in the hippocampal CA1 region were shown (A). Quantification of dendrite number (B) and mushroom-type dendrites (C) were calculated. The number of dendritic branches and mushroom percentage in the hippocampus of ICV-STZ-treated rats decreased markedly, and supplement of magnesium almost fully reversed the dendritic complexity. Data were presented as means ± SD. *<i>P</i><0.05 versus the control group, <i>#P</i><0.05 versus the STZ group.