Fig. 5.

The role of the Na-coupled citrate transporter in citrate-mediated anti-oxidant functions in BMSCs. (A) The effects of the Na-coupled citrate transporter on the ROS levels were evaluated in BMSCs treated with 1.0 mM citrate for 3 days followed by exposure to 5.0 mM tert-butyl hydroperoxide or 200 μM hydrogen peroxide for 1 h. Bar = 100 µm. (B) Staining with the fluorescent dye DiO revealed damaged membranes in BMSCs treated with 3 mM lithium chloride medium containing 1.0 mM citrate, while cells treated with 0 mM lithium chloride showed a rather integrated morphology. Bar = 100 µm. (C) A significant decrease in the rate of apoptosis was observed in BMSCs cultured in 1.0 mM citrate medium and subsequently exposed to 200 μM hydrogen peroxide for 12 h; this decrease was abrogated by 3 mM lithium chloride.