Fig. 5
Effect of Dex on the osteogenic and adipogenic differentiation of the hBMSCs. a ARS staining of the hBMSCs after treatment with various concentrations of Dex (10−8 mol/L, 10−7 mol/L, and 10−6 mol/L) for 14 days. b The results of the western blotting analysis showing the protein expression levels of the osteogenic markers (BSPII and Runx-2) after treatment for 14 days, and c quantification of the integrated density of the target bands normalized to GAPDH levels. d The results of the qRT-PCR showing the mRNA expression of osteogenic markers (BSPII and Runx-2) after treatment for 14 days, and quantification through normalization to GAPDH levels. e ORO staining of the hBMSCs after treatment with various concentrations of Dex (10−8 mol/L, 10−7 mol/L, and 10−6 mol/L) for 14 days. f The results of the western blotting analysis showing the protein expression levels of the adipogenic markers (PPAR-γ and CEBP-α) after treatment for 14 days, and g quantification of the integrated density of the target bands after normalization to GAPDH levels. h The results of the qRT-PCR showing the mRNA expression levels of adipogenic markers (PPAR-γ and CEBP-α) after treatment for 14 days, and the quantification through normalization to GAPDH levels. Note: all results are presented as mean ± standard deviation of three independent experiments. *P < 0.01 compared with the control group; #P < 0.01 between the two groups. hBMSCs, human bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells; Dex, dexamethasone; BSPII, bone sialoprotein II; Runx-2, runt-related transcription factor-2; PPAR-γ, peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-γ; CEBP-α, CCAAT/enhancer-binding protein-α