Betulinic Acid Attenuates Osteoarthritis via Limiting NLRP3 Inflammasome Activation to Decrease Interleukin-1β Maturation and Secretion

Figure 8

Effects of BA treatment on subchondral bone in DMM-induced OA in mice. (a) Typical 2D micro-CT micrographs of the femoral condyle and tibial plateau (sagittal and coronal views). (b) Typical 3D micro-CT micrographs of the femoral condyle and tibial plateau (coronal view). The effects of the BA treatment on subchondral bone parameters, including (c) BMD (n = 6–8), (d) BV/TV (n = 6–8), (e) Tb.Th (n = 6–8), and (f) number of pores (n = 6–8). (g) Trap staining of the subchondral bone in the right knee. (h) SEM images of the subchondral bone in the right knee. (i) Quantification of the number of Trap+ osteoclasts (n = 3–6). (j) Quantification of the subchondral bone modulus of elasticity (n = 3). Red and blue arrows, respectively, indicate osteosclerosis beneath the cartilage and subchondral articular defects, and yellow arrows indicate microfractures. and vs. Sham+ Vehicle group; ^# and ^### vs. DMM + Vehicle group; ^$ vs. DMM + Low-dose group; ns: no significance; scale bar = 100 µm.

(a)

(b)

(c)

(d)

(e)

(f)

(g)

(h)

(i)

(j)