Figure 2

Neural filament degeneration and glial activation in the CST zone of the cervical and lumbar enlargement post-MCAO in hypertensive rats.

Representative microphotographs of NF (A–C), Iba-1 (F–H) and GFAP (K–M) expressions in the CST zone of the cervical 5 segments at W12 post-operation in the sham, ipsilateral and contralateral groups. Analysis of NF⁺fiber number (D,E), Iba-1⁺cell number (I,J) and GFAP⁺expression density (N,O) in the CST zone of the cervical 5 and lumbar 5 segments in the sham, ipsilateral and contralateral groups at W1, W4, W8 and W12 post-operation (n = 6, per group at each time point). Data are presented as means ± SEM. *p < 0.05, compared with the sham group; #p < 0.05, compared with the sham and ipsilateral groups.