Ferroportin-Dependent Iron Homeostasis Protects against Oxidative Stress-Induced Nucleus Pulposus Cell Ferroptosis and Ameliorates Intervertebral Disc Degeneration In Vivo

Figure 6

Ferroptosis occurred during IVDD, while administration of hinokitiol reduced the degree of disc degeneration in vivo. (a, b) Representative HE and SO staining images of the midsagittal sections of IVD specimens. (c) Histologic scores of the midsagittal sections of IVD specimens. Data are expressed as (); , the saline group versus the control group; , the DFO group/Fer-1 group/hinokitiol group versus the saline group. The interobserver error of each group is, respectively, 0.05 (control group), 0.02 (saline group), 0.05 (hinokitiol group), 0.03 (DFO group), and 0.07 (Fer-1 group). (d) Immunohistochemical staining for FTH, FPN, and MTF1 expressions in the rats’ NP samples. Data are expressed as (); , the saline group versus the control group; , the hinokitiol group versus the saline group.

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