Fig. 2

HQT-medicated serum protects against FFA-induced L02 hepatocyte from ERS. a Transmission electron microscopy of L02 hepatocytes from control group showing normal Endoplasmic reticulum (er) architecture, from FFA group and HQT-H group showing ER dilatation and degranulation (d), lipid vacuoles (w), and inflammatory (star) (× 1700, × 5000). b, c and d The expression levels of PERK, p-PERK, IRE-1α, p-IRE-1α, GRP78, ATF6, ATF4, CASPASE12, CHOP protein and the expression levels of GRP78, ATF6, XBP-1, CASPASE12, CHOP mRNA in FFA-stimulated L02 hepatocytes. e Caspase-3 activity in FFA-induced L02 hepatocytes. Results are expressed as mean ± S.D. ^*p < 0.05, ^**p < 0.01, ^***p < 0.001 vs CON group, ^#p < 0.05, ^##p < 0.01, ^###p < 0.01 vs FFA group