Fig. 2

Identification and quantification of cellular apoptosis. a Localization of apoptotic nuclei by TdT-uridine-nick-end-labeling technique. Apoptotic nuclei appear as heavy brown-stained nuclei in tubule epithelial cells. In 8-week-old rats, apoptotic nuclei in SHR renal cortices appear as heavy brown-stained nuclei in collecting ducts and in lesser proportions in proximal tubules, whereas there is a slight increase in apoptotic cells in the epithelium from collecting ducts and proximal tubules in WKY kidney cortices. Magnification: 400X. b Quantification of apoptotic epithelial cells in cortices. More TUNEL-positive nuclei were recorded in tubular epithelial cells of renal cortices from SHRs than in those from WKYs (8 week-old rats); *p < 0.05. Each bar represents mean ± SEM; n = 5