Fig. 4

Mitochondrial morphology and function of L-ADSCs and O-ADSCs. a Representation of TEM images of the mitochondrial of L-ADSCs and O-ADSCs. The mitochondrial structure of L-ADSCs was well organized (red dotted coil). In contrast, that of O-ADSCs were slim (yellow dotted coil) and disordered (red dotted coil) and some swollen regions were devoid of cristae (purple arrow). Scale bar, 2 μm (up panel) and 500 nM (middle panel). b Representative images of the mitochondria in L-ADSCs and O-ADSCs stained by MitoTracker Red. Some small and punctate fragments (white arrows) were observed in the mitochondria of O-ADSCs. Scale bar, 50 μm. c Representative flow cytometry images of mitochondria mass stained by MitoTrack Green and its quantification in L-ADSCs and O-ADSCs (n ≥ 3). d mtDNA levels in nuclear DNA (nDNA) of L-ADSCs and O-ADSCs by RT-PCR assays. e Western blot analysis of mitochondrial membrane protein Tom 20 levels in L-ADSCs and O-ADSCs and their qualification of relative protein intensity. Full-length blots are presented in Additional file 2: Figure S2. f Quantification of mitochondrial membrane fluidity of L-ADSCs and O-ADSCs by the fluorescence polarization (P) values of mitochondrial membrane measured by TMA-DPH dye. P value and membrane fluidity are negative correction (n ≥ 3). g Western blot analysis of fusion and fission protein level in L-ADSCs and O-ADSCs and their qualification of relative protein intensity. Full-length blots are presented in Additional file 2: Figure S3. h Representative flow cytometry images of the mitochondrial membrane potential in L-ADSCs and O-ADSCs detected by TMRM probe and their quantification in L-ADSCs and O-ADSCs (n ≥ 3). i Flow cytometry analysis of ROS levels by H2-DCFDA dye in L-ADSCs and O-ADSCs and their quantification (n ≥ 3). j Flow cytometry analysis of apoptotic cells using PI/Annexin V staining in L-ADSCs and O-ADSCs and their quantification (n ≥ 3)