Figure 4. Dex regulated the NF-kB, JNK and NLRP3 pathways in AF chondrocytes.

(A) Chondrocytes were treated with 5 μM Dex for 24 h. Western blot assay was performed to detect the protein levels of p-p65, NLRP3, Caspase-1, IL-1β, and p-JNK. (B) Chondrocytes were treated with 1 mM H₂O₂ for 1 h. Afterward, cells were cultured in fresh medium or the medium with supplementation of 5 μM Dex with further incubation for 24 h. Western blot assay was performed to detect the protein levels of p-p65, NLRP3, Caspase-1, IL-1β, and p-JNK. *P<0.05 and **P<0.01 vs. control group; ^#P<0.05 vs. the group that was treated with H₂O₂ alone.