Figure 3.

Activated protein C (APC) exerts opposing effects on MG63 viability depending on the presence of specific bisphosphonates. (a) MG63 cells were pretreated with or without 10 μg ml⁻¹ of APC for 1 h and then cotreated with lovastatin for 48 h. Cell numbers were determined by crystal violet assay and expressed as the percentage of control cells. (b) MG63 cells were pretreated with or without 10 μg ml⁻¹ of APC for 1 h and then cotreated with zoledronate (Zol; 50, 100 and 200 μℳ) for 48 h. Cell numbers were determined by crystal violet assay and expressed as the percentage of control cells. Cell morphology under the conditions was photographed ( × 200). (c) MG63 cells plated in 96-well were pretreated to 10 μg ml⁻¹ of APC for 1 h and then cotreated with pamidronate (Pam) for 48 h. Cell viability was determined by MTT assay. Viability of control cells was set at 100%, and viability relative to the control was presented. (d) MG63 cells were pretreated with or without 10 μg ml⁻¹ of APC for 1 h and then cotreated with alendronate (Aln; 12, 25, 50 and 100 μℳ) for 48 h. Cell numbers were determined by crystal violet assay and expressed as the percentage of control cells. Cell morphology under the conditions was photographed ( × 200). (e) MG63 cells were pretreated with APC (0.1, 1 and 10 μg ml⁻¹) for 1 h and then cotreated with 100 μℳ of alendronate. *P<0.05; **P<0.01 versus control group.