Nicotine Attenuates Chondrocyte Inflammation via the α7nAChR-Mediated Inhibition of the HMGB1/TLR4/NF-κB Signaling Pathway

This study reveals that Nic alleviates chondrocyte inflammatory responses by activating α7nAChR and inhibiting the HMGB1/TLR4/NF-κB signaling pathway. These findings not only enhance the understanding of CAP's role in OA inflammation regulation but also provide a theoretical basis for exploring α7nAChR as a potential anti-inflammatory target. However, since the research is currently limited to in vitro cellular studies, further animal experiments are necessary to validate its clinical translational potential.