The Natural Polyphenol Epigallocatechin Gallate Protects Intervertebral Disc Cells from Oxidative Stress

Figure 5

EGCG inhibited the loss of mitochondrial membrane potential. Cell death was activated by lethal concentrations of H₂O₂ (100 μM, 200 μM) applied for 24 hours. (a) 10 μM EGCG significantly inhibited mitochondrial membrane depolarization induced with 100 μM H₂O₂ (). (b) 10 μM EGCG significantly inhibited mitochondrial membrane depolarization induced with 200 μM H₂O₂ (). (c) Cellular morphology of the H₂O₂ + EGCG treatment group was different from the control group: signs of membrane blebbing and nuclear condensation indicated that cell death was not completely inhibited (). (d) Ratio of red/green fluorescence showing the loss of mitochondrial membrane potential in the H₂O₂ treatment groups. Asterisks indicate statistical significance at (ANOVA, Tukey post hoc).

(a)

(b)

(c)

(d)