Fig. 2

Caspase 3 expression in ACL-deficient knees. a and b Representative western blot of Caspase 3 protein expression in cultured normal chondrocytes and chondrocytes from patients with ACL rupture and a bar graph showing relative Caspase 3 protein expression normalized to β-actin in normal (n = 4) and ACL rupture chondrocytes (n = 6). (Error bars = standard errors, * p < 0.05). c and d Representative western blot of Caspase 3 expression in chondrocytes from patients with more than 18 months ACL injury compared to patients with ACL-injury up to 18 months and normal chondrocytes. A bar graph showing relative Caspase 3 protein expression normalized to β-actin in normal (n = 3), ACL-injury up to 18 months (n = 3) and ACL rupture more than 18 months chondrocytes (n = 3). (Error bars = standard errors, * p < 0.05 versus normal, NS ACL < 18 months versus ACL > 8 months)