Figure 6. Inhibition of nitric oxide synthase (NOS) by L-NAME decreased the expression of cleaved caspase-3 and Dexras1. Adult rats were injected intraperitoneally with L-NAME or PBS as a control. At 1 day after light exposure, the injured retina was prepared. A-B: western blot analysis showed cleaved caspase-3 and Dexras1 expression in the normal retina, injured retina with PBS treated group, and injured retina with L-NAME treated group. C-D: Quantitative analysis of A and B, respectively. Relative protein level represented a ratio between the amount of target gene and amount of endogenous GAPDH control. Groups marked with an asterisk were significantly different from the control group. The data are means±SEM (n=5, *p<0.05). Immunofluorescence showed colabeling of Dexras1 and cleaved caspase-3 in the retina at 1 day after light exposure with E-G: the PBS treated group and H-J: the L-NAME treated group. G, J: Merged images. Magnification, 400×. Abbreviations: GCL represents ganglion cell layer; INL represents inner nuclear layer; ONL represents outer nuclear layer.