Fig. 6

The anti-calcification effect of metformin is related to NF-κB inhibition. a Protein expression levels of p-IKKα/β (Ser176/180) and p-NF-κB (Ser536) of control (n = 9) and calcific (n = 8) valves were determined by WB, *p < 0.05 versus control group (Student’s t-test); b the protein expression of p-IKKα/β (Ser176/180) and p-NF-κB (Ser536) in AVICs after PM treatment with or without metformin for 72 h as determined by WB, n = 3 per group; c protein expression levels of p-NF-κB (Ser536), BMP2, and OPN in AVICs after various treatments with metformin (100 μM) and NF-κB inhibitor (PDTC, 10 μM) for 72 h as determined by WB, n = 3 per group; d, Calcium deposition were detected by ARS Staining after various treatments for 7 days, Scale bar, 200 μm, n = 6 per group. CTL control; PM phosphate medium; Met, metformin; CAVD, calcific aortic valve disease; *p < 0.05 versus PM group (one-way ANOVA with Bonferroni post hoc test)