Neuronal apoptosis within the ischemic penumbra

. TUNEL staining ipsilateral of the infarct in PBS-treated (panels A and B) and neuroserpin-treated (panel C) animals. In panel A, NC indicates the necrotic core and P indicates the area of the penumbra. Panels B and C are high magnification images of the penumbra in control (panel B) and neuroserpin-treated animals (panel C). Examples of cells considered to be apoptotic for the purposes of quantification are indicated with the open arrows; cells considered as necrotic are indicated with the closed arrows. Magnification in panel A is × 40 and in panels B and C × 400. (D) Quantitative analysis of apoptosis in the area of penumbra 72 hours after reperfusion. Quantitation was performed as described in “Materials and methods” and only cells with apoptotic bodies present (panel B) were counted. Control represents animals injected with PBS (n = 6). Neuroserpin indicates animals injected with neuroserpin (n = 6).P values < .05 are shown, and errors represent SEM. (E) Quantitation of apoptosis was performed as in panel D at the times indicated, (○) PBS-treated animals, (□) neuroserpin-treated animals.