Fig. 3

Effect of LPS stimulation on hepatocyte apoptosis in chicken liver. Following intraperitoneal LPS injection in chicks at different time points, single stranded DNA (ssDNA) protein expression was assessed in liver tissues by immunohistochemistry using anti-ssDNA antibody, ssDNA positive product was extensively distributed in biliary epithelial cells and hepatic sinosoidal endothelial cells in LPS group at 6 h, 12 h, 24 h, and 72 h as compared to PBS (saline) group (a). Quantification of ssDNA expression from liver tissue images was accomplished by image-pro plus (IPP) computer software where IOD represents integrated optical density (b). The activity of caspase-3 enzyme was measured by ELIZA technique and the expressions of caspase-3 and caspase-8 genes were also determined by quantitative RT-PCR and normalized by the expression of actin beta (ACTB) (c). The letter C represents saline (control) group and L represents LPS group. The numbers represent the hours after stimulation. *P < 0.05, **P < 0.01