Research Paper Volume 15, Issue 7 pp 2418—2432

Figure 6. Aquaporin and amylase in the submandibular gland. (A) Immunohistochemical assessment of AQP5 expression. The brown staining reflects AQP5 expression. The expression AQP5 was lower in the OVX group than in the SHAM group and increased in both the DFO and FER groups compared with that in the OVX group. (B) Expression of Aqp3 and Aqp5 mRNAs. The expression of Aqp3 mRNA was increased in the FER group compared to the OVX group (p < 0.01), but there was no difference in the DFO group, and the expression of Aqp5 mRNA was increased in both the DFO and FER groups compared to the OVX group (p < 0.01). (C) Salivary α-amylase activity and (D) expression of Amy1 mRNA. Salivary α-amylase activity and Amy1 mRNA expression were also significantly increased in the DFO group compared to the OVX group, but there was no difference in the FER group. Two-way ANOVA was performed. ^*p < 0.05, ^**p < 0.01, ^***p < 0.001 vs. SHAM group, ^##p < 0.01 vs. OVX group. Abbreviations: NS: not significant; SHAM: sham surgery group; OVX: ovariectomized group; DFO: deferoxamine injection group; FER: ferrostatin-1 injection group.