Fig. 5

Analysis of protein expression of the apoptosis biomarkers caspase 3 and Bax and the antiapoptosis indicator BCL-2 and a TUNEL assay in the urinary bladder at 4 days after IC induction (n = 5). a Expression of the apoptosis biomarkers caspase 3 and Bax and the antiapoptosis indicator BCL-2 by Western blot in the bladder tissue was highest in the interstitial cystitis (IC) group compared to the IC + urine-derived stem cell (USC) group and normal control (N) group; the biomarker expression in the IC + USC group was lower than in the IC group. b A statistical chart of the relative optical density of caspase 3/GAPDH in each group (n = 5). c A statistical chart of the relative optical density of Bax/GAPDH in each group (n = 5). d A statistical chart of the relative optical density of BCL-2/GAPDH in each group (n = 5). e–g The TUNEL assay indicated that, in sections from the IC group rats, the most apoptotic nuclei were observed, whereas fewer were present in the IC + USC group and more were present than in the normal control group. h A statistical chart reveals the index of apoptotic nuclei in all groups of bladder tissue (n = 5). *P < 0.05, versus the control group; ^# P < 0.05, versus the IC group