CR8 administration reduces SCI-induced neuronal death.

<p><b>A</b>. CR8 attenuated caspase 3 and fodrin cleavage, the latter as indicated by reduction of the 145/150 kDa fragment immunoreactivity. <b>B–C</b>. Signal quantification using densitometry and normalization relative to GAPDH levels demonstrated that the observed changes are significant. The figures reflect representative western blots. N = 4. ^*p<0.05 vs. sham. <b>D–E</b>. TUNEL analysis was performed on 20 µm sections from rats at 24 hours post-SCI using an ApopTag® Fluorescein/Red detection kit. TUNEL/NeuN staining revealed that CR8 effectively reduced neuronal death in the epicenter of the injury (p<0.05), as well as in rostral and caudal sections located in two consecutive 2 mm distance regions from the epicenter. Representative images in panel D were shown at 2 mm caudal to epicenter. Scale bar = 100 µm. <b>F</b>. Six to eight representative animals - were selected from each treatment group for quantification of neurons (NeuN⁺ cells). Unbiased stereology by optical fractionators method using StereoInvestigator Software (MBF Biosciences) indicates that CR8 administration significantly increased number of surviving neurons within 10 mm zone surrounding the injury epicenter (p<0.05, vs vehicle).