Figure 5.

Effects of vincaria and RNI 249 on basal and IL-1β stimulated nitrite production in human cartilage explants. Media nitrite levels, a reflection of nitric oxide production, released from human cartilage explants (n = 3) was markedly enhanced by treatment with IL-1β (5 ng/ml, P <0.01). Co-treatment with either vincaria 10 μg/ml (V10) or RNI 249 50 μg/ml (R50) reduced nitrite levels although these changes were not significant. However, the combination of V10 and R50 produced additive effects and a significant reduction in nitrite levels (* P < 0.01 vs. IL-1β). Both V10 and R50 alone, reduced basal nitrite levels when compared to control untreated values but these differences were not significant.