Effects of EGCG on NO-induced caspase-1 activation <i>in vitro</i> and <i>ex vivo.</i>

<p>Cells were pretreated with 50 μM EGCG, followed by treatment with 500 μM SNAP for 24 h. (A) IL-1β concentrations were measured in cell supernatants using the ELISA method. (B) Protein extracts were assayed for cleaved caspase-1 by western blot analysis. (C) Rat organ of Corti explants were pretreated with 50 μM EGCG for 2 h, followed by treatment with 500 μM SNAP. After the explants were homogenized, caspase-1 levels were confirmed using a caspase-1 assay kit. All data represent the mean ± SEM of 3 independent experiments (<i>^#P</i><0.05 vs. control, *<i>P</i><0.05 vs. SNAP alone).