Figure 3

Effect of ASU + EGCG on pro-inflammatory gene expression in chondrocytes following cytokine activation. (A) Gene expression of cytokines IL-6, IL-1β, and TNF-α significantly increased following 1 h activation with IL-1β + TNF-α, and significantly decreased in chondrocytes pre-treated with ASU + EGCG. Gene expression of IL-6 and TNF-α did not decrease to non-activated control levels in pre-treated chondrocytes. (B) COX-2 and IL-8 gene expression increased following cytokine activation and decreased by 50% and 60%, respectively with ASU + EGCG pre-treatment. (*Statistical difference relative to IL-1β + TNF-α, P < 0.001, n = 3).