Figure 4.

(A–F) Fullerol inhibits nitric oxide production and extracellular matrix destruction induced by interleukin (IL)-1. Human nucleus pulposus cells in alginate beads were treated with IL-1 (10 ng/mL) alone or together with fullerol (Ful; 1 μM) for 3 days (A and B) or 7 days (C–F). (A) Nitrite level in culture medium was tested by Griess reagent. (B and C) Cellular proteoglycan was determined by a colorimetric method using dimethylmethylene blue. (D–F) Gene expression of extracellular matrix proteins was assessed by real-time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction.

Notes: *P<0.05; **P<0.01.

Abbreviations: GAG, glycosaminoglycan; DNA, deoxyribonucleic acid; AGG, aggrecan; COL, collagen; NS, not significant; Con, control.