Sclerostin-silenced human umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cells ameliorate bone metabolism in steroid-induced femoral head necrosis

Figure 7 Effect of sclerostin inhibitor-silenced human umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cells on the expression of serum bone metabolism factors in mice with steroid-induced avascular necrosis of the femoral head. A-E: The serum levels of receptor activator of nuclear factor kappa B (RANK), RANK ligand, tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase, osteoprotegerin, and osteoprotegerin/RANK ligand were determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay in each group of mice. Data represent mean ± SEM from three independent experiments. ^bP < 0.01 vs sham; ^cP < 0.05 vs SAN; ^dP < 0.01. RANK: Receptor activator of nuclear factor kappa B; RANKL: Receptor activator of nuclear factor kappa B ligand; TRAP: Tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase; OPG: Osteoprotegerin; SAN: Steroid-induced avascular necrosis of the femoral head; MSC: Mesenchymal stem cell.