Fig. 4

Gene and protein expression of neurotrophic factors. a qRT-PCR analysis of EGF, IGF, NT3, NT4 and GDNF transcript levels in BMC-treated mice (dark gray) compared to sham-injected mice (light gray). *p < 0.05; **p < 0.01; ***p < 0.001. Error bars indicate SEM. n = 6. b Fold-changes in expression of GDNF and NT4 proteins in skeletal muscle of BMC-treated mice (dark gray) and sham-injected mice (light gray) assessed by western blot analysis. Quantities shown as ratios to GAPDH. *p < 0.05. Error bars indicate SEM. n = 6 per group. No differences observed in IGF, NT3 and VEGF expression between both groups, and no NGF detected (data not shown). However, there was a solid decrease in GDNF (p < 0.05) and a strong upregulation of NT4 (p < 0.01) in BMC-treated mice. BDNF brain-derived neurotrophic factor, EGF epidermal growth factor, IGF Insulin-like growth factor, NT neurotrophin, GDNF glial-derived neurotrophic factor