PDK1 and AKT protein and mRNA expression changes in FLSs following AST intervention. (A) PDK1 protein expression changes were observed through immunofluorescence technique (magnification, ×200). (a) Control group; (b) model group; (c) AST group. (B) p-AKT protein expression changes were detected through immunofluorescence technique (magnification, ×200). (a) Control group; (b) model group; (c) AST group. (C) PDK1 mRNA expression changes were detected through RT-qPCR. (D) Semi-quantitative analysis of PDK1 protein. ##P<0.01, compared with the control group; **P<0.01, compared with the model group. (E) PDK1, AKT and p-AKT protein expression changes were detected by western blot analysis. (F) AKT mRNA expression changes were detected by RT-qPCR. (G) Semi-quantitative analysis of p-AKT/AKT protein. ##P<0.01, compared with the control group; **P<0.01, compared with the model group. ALS, astragaloside; FLS, fibroblast-like synoviocyte.