Promoting Nrf2/Sirt3-Dependent Mitophagy Suppresses Apoptosis in Nucleus Pulposus Cells and Protects against Intervertebral Disc Degeneration

Figure 2

t-BHQ suppresses apoptosis and oxidative injury induced by TBHP in NPCs. (a) The expression of Bax, Bcl-2, and cleaved caspase-3 from different concentrations of t-BHQ-treated NPCs under TBHP stimulation for 24 h was analyzed by western blot. (b–d) Quantification of Bax, Bcl-2, and cleaved caspase-3 immunoblots. (e–g) TUNEL and ROS assays were performed in NPCs treated with t-BHQ and TBHP treatment for 24 h. (h) Intracellular MDA level was assessed by using the MDA assay kit. (i) Intracellular SOD2 level was assessed by using the SOD2 assay kit. All experiments were performed three times in duplicate, and data are reported as the . , .

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