Fig. 8

MT inhibits nicotine-induced pyroptosis in foam cells. (A) Representative images of Oil Red O-stained THP-1 macrophages following incubation with ox-LDL for 6, 12, 24, and 48 h (scale bar: 50 μm). (B) DCFH-DA staining to detect ROS levels in cells after the different treatments. (C) MitoSOX Red Mitochondrial Superoxide Indicator staining to detect ROS levels in mitochondrion after the different treatments. (D) q-RT-PCR analysis of changes in the expression of macrophage pyroptosis-related genes after the different treatments. (E) ELISA results showing the secretion of IL-18 and IL-1β in the serum of mice with different treatments. Data are presented as mean ± SD (n = 3 represents three independent experiments per group); ^*P < 0.05, ^**P < 0.01, and ^***P < 0.001 vs. control cells. ^#P < 0.05, ^##P < 0.01, and ^###P < 0.001 vs. nicotine-treated cells. n=10 mice in each group. ^*P < 0.05, ^**P < 0.01, and ^***P < 0.001 vs. NCD. ^#P < 0.05, ^##P < 0.01, and ^###P < 0.001 vs. HFD