Vaspin prevents leptin‑induced inflammation and catabolism by inhibiting the activation of nuclear factor‑κB in rat chondrocytes.

The present study aimed to investigate the function and possible underlying mechanism of various concentrations of visceral adipose tissue‑derived serine protease inhibitor (vaspin) on leptin‑induced inflammatory and metabolic responses in rat chondrocytes. Rat articular chondrocytes were isolated and treated with different concentrations of vaspin, which was followed by stimulation with leptin. The expression of genes, secretion of nitric oxide and tumor necrosis factor‑α, and activation of the nuclear factor (NF)‑κB pathway were analyzed by reverse transcription‑quantitative polymerase chain reaction, ELISA and western blotting.