Figure 3

Concentration polarization of ox-LDL induces apoptosis.

(A) and (B) Ox-LDL decreases expression of anti-apoptotic proteins Bcl-2 and Bcl-xL, significantly more in the permeable group than in the non-permeable group. (C) and (D) Ox-LDL increases expression of pro-apoptotic proteins Bax and Caspases, significantly more in the permeable group than in the non-permeable group. The samples derive from the same experiment and gels/blots were processed in parallel. (E) and (F) Patterns of ox-LDL-mediated apoptosis and autophagy. In the non-permeable group, ox-LDL increases apoptosis rate in a dose-dependent manner up to 60 μg/ml and then the apoptosis rate stabilizes. Ox-LDL (5–60 μg/ml) increases autophagy, but at higher concentrations autophagy sharply falls. Due to the occurrence of concentration polarization of ox-LDL in permeable group, the changes in apoptosis markers are more pronounced than in the non-permeable group. Bar graphs represent data in mean ± SD based on 5 experiments, * P < 0.05 vs. non-permeable group.