Fig. 6

Gene Expression. RT-qPCR was used to examine the mRNA expression of a Col2, b Col10, c mmp-13, d il-1, e adamts-5, and f acan genes in each group. The results showed no evident differences between the CS and E groups for the genes a Col2 and c mmp-13. The expression of c mmp-13, d il-1, and e adamts-5 genes in the treated groups were decreased compared to that of the control group. The expression of f acan and a Col2 genes in the E group increased, while the expression of f acan decreased in the CS group. *p < 0.05, **p < 0.01, ***p < 0.001 indicate significant differences between groups. n.s. not significant. The 2-ΔΔCt method was adopted with GAPDH as the reference gene