Figure 3.

1,25(OH)₂D₃ induces the transdifferentiation of osteoblasts to adipocytes at the early stage of osteoblast differentiation. (a–c) Primary osteoblasts were cultured in osteogenic medium (OGM). Cells were treated with either vehicle or 1,25(OH)₂D₃ (10⁻⁸ M) during the indicated time periods. (a) Cultured cells were fixed and stained with Alizarin red or Oil Red-O, Bar: 50 µm; (b) Alizarin red staining was quantified by densitometry at 562 nm; (c) The number of Oil Red-O—positive cells was counted. # p < 0.05; * p < 0.01; ** p < 0.001 as compared with controls.