Fig. 5
Immunohistochemical analysis of brain tissues in rats. Sections of brain tissues were stained with GFAP (a), CD11b (c) and P2RX7 (e). Cell counting analysis of astrocytes and microglia in the cerebral cortex and hippocampus (b & d, number/cm2). The relative values of P2RX7 expression in the cerebral cortex and hippocampus (f). GFAP, CD11b and P2X7 receptor expression was increased in the tongue instillation group compared to that in the other groups. The red arrows show the positive cells. Results shown as means ± SD from three independent experiments, compare with control group, *P < 0.05, **P < 0.01. (n = 5). Abbreviations: ZnO: zinc oxide nanoparticles; GFAP: glial fibrillary acidic protein; P2RX7: P2X purinoceptor 7; SD: Standard deviation