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

Figure 3

t-BHQ improves the capacity of antiapoptosis via NRF2 activation. (a, b) The expression of Nrf2 from different concentrations of t-BHQ-treated NPCs. (c) Representative images of Nrf2 in NPCs with t-BHQ and TBHP treatment for 24 h. (d, e) Successful knockdown of Nrf2. (f, g) The expression of cleaved caspase-3 in NPCs. (h) TUNEL and ROS assays were performed in NPCs. (i) Intracellular MDA level was assessed by using the MDA assay kit. (j) 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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