Research Paper Volume 15, Issue 7 pp 2418—2432

Figure 5. Fibrosis in the submandibular gland. (A) Collagen distribution in the salivary gland tissue. The fibrotic area was significantly larger in the OVX group than in the SHAM group, while in both the DFO and the FER group it was smaller than in the OVX group. (B) Expression of Col1a1 and Col3a mRNAs. The expression of collagen type I alpha 1 chain (Col1a1) and collagen type III alpha chain (Col3a) mRNAs also increased in the OVX group (p < 0.001) and decreased in the DFO (Col1a1; p < 0.001 and Col3a; p < 0.05) and FER (Col1a1; p < 0.001 and Col3a; p < 0.01) groups. (C) Immunohistochemical assessment of TGF-βI levels. The brown staining reflects TGF-βI expression. The TGF-βI staining was higher in the OVX group than in the SHAM group and decreased in both the DFO and the FER group compared with that in the OVX group. (D) Expression of Tgf-βI and Tgf-βII mRNAs. The expression of Tgf-βI and Tgf-βII mRNAs increased in the OVX group (Tgf-βI; p < 0.001 and Tgf-βII; p < 0.01) and decreased in the DFO (Tgf-βI; p < 0.001 and Tgf-βII; p < 0.05) and FER (Tgf-βI; p < 0.001 and Tgf-βII; p < 0.01) groups. Two-way ANOVA was performed. ^**p < 0.01, ^***p < 0.001 vs. SHAM group, ^#p < 0.05, ^##p < 0.01, ^###p < 0.001 vs. OVX group. Abbreviations: SHAM: sham surgery group; OVX: ovariectomized group; DFO: deferoxamine injection group; FER: ferrostatin-1 injection group; Col1a1: Collagen type I alpha 1 chain; Col3a: Collagen type III alpha chain; TGF: Tumor growth factor.