Selenium Attenuates TBHP-Induced Apoptosis of Nucleus Pulposus Cells by Suppressing Mitochondrial Fission through Activating Nuclear Factor Erythroid 2-Related Factor 2

Figure 4

Se exerted protective effects in TBHP-exposed NPCs through suppressing mitochondrial fission. (a) Fluorescence photomicrograph of mitochondria of NPCs treated with FCCP and Se (scale bar: 20 μm). (b, c) Representative western blot bands and quantitation of the expression levels of OPA1, Mfn1, Mfn2, DRP1, MFF, and Fis1 in NPCs treated with FCCP and Se. (d) The intracellular ROS levels in NPCs. (e) The mitochondrial ROS levels in NPCs. (f, g) Mitochondrial membrane potential levels measured by flow cytometry analysis. (h, i) Apoptosis of the NPCs detected by flow cytometry analysis. (j, k) Representative western blot bands and quantitation of the expression of apoptosis-related proteins. The data are represented as the from at least 3 independent experiments. Significant differences between groups are indicated as , .

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