Fig. 5

Protective effects of MSCs-Exo and F-MSCs-Exo on osteoarthritis in rats. (A) A schematic diagram was provided, illustrating how MSCs-Exo and F-MSCs-Exo were used to treat osteoarthritis in rats. (B) Micro-CT 3D reconstruction of rat knee joints was conducted to visualize the structural changes and alterations in the knee join. (C, D) Quantitative analysis of the micro-CT results was performed to assess the changes in the knee joint’s structure. (E, F) H-E staining and S-O staining of rat knee joint sections at 8 weeks after operation were conducted for histological examination (scale bar = 500 μm). (G) The Osteoarthritis Research Society International (OARSI) score was used to evaluate the severity of osteoarthritis in rat cartilage, n = 6. (H to M) Immunohistochemical analysis was performed to visualize and quantify the expression levels of MMP-13, P62, and INOS in the rat knee joint (scale bar = 100 μm). (ns, no significant difference; *p < 0.05; **p < 0.01; ***p < 0.001; n = 3)