Figure 5.

NBP had a protective effect on K141N HSPB8 induced mitochondrial dysfunction through the Nrf2 pathway. Treatment with 10 μmol/L NBP reduced the (A) ROS levels (n = 3, p < 0.05) and (B) H₂O₂ content (n = 3, p < 0.001) compared with K141N groups. Treatment with 10 μmol/L NBP increased the activity of (C) SOD (n = 3, p < 0.05) and (D) CAT (n = 3, p < 0.01) compared with K141N groups. (E) Treatment with 10 μmol/L NBP prevented the K141N-induced MMP reduction (n = 3, p < 0.05). (F) Total cellular protein and nuclear protein fractions were extracted and expression levels of Nrf2 were detected by Western blotting. β-actin was used as a loading control for total protein fraction, while Lamin B was used as a loading control for the nuclear protein fractions. Values are means of at least three different blots. SOD: Superoxide dismutase; CAT: Catalase; MMP: Mitochondrial membrane potential. Error bars represent ± SEM values. ^*p < 0.05, ^**p < 0.01, ^***p < 0.001 vs. the WT HSPB8. ^#p < 0.05, ^##p < 0.01 and ^###p < 0.001 vs. K141N group.