Effect on TUNEL staining
TUNEL staining is used as an index of apoptosis to detect
DNA strand breaks. Fig. 3 shows in situ TUNEL staining
(Fig. 3A) and percentage (%) of apoptotic cells (Fig. 3B) in
the cerebral cortex of control and experimental animals.
Group I (Control) and Group III (BA) rats showed few
TUNEL-positive cells with red nuclei. In Group II rats,
cigarette smoking induced apoptosis as seen by increased
% of TUNEL-positive cells. Group IV (CSBA) rats inhibited
smoking-induced apoptosis which is evident from the
decrease in the % of TUNEL-positive apoptotic cells.