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

Figure 6

Se suppressed mitochondrial fission and cell apoptosis through activating the Nrf2 pathway. (a) Changes in mitochondrial morphology measured by fluorescence photomicrograph after treatment with ML385 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. (d) The production of intracellular ROS in NPCs. (e) The production of mitochondrial ROS in NPCs. (f, g) Mitochondrial membrane potential 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 levels of cleaved-caspase 9, cleaved-caspase 3, Bax, and Bcl-2 in NPCs treated with or without ML385. The data are represented as the from at least 3 independent experiments. Significant differences between groups are indicated as , .

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