Fig. 3
From: Fucoidan attenuates radioiodine-induced salivary gland dysfunction in mice
Immunohistochemistry and TUNEL assay of salivary glands at 12 weeks post-RI treatment. Representative immunohistochemical images show salivary epithelial cells (aquaporins 5 (AQP5) staining) and myoepithelial cells (α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA) staining). The expression level of AQP5 and α-SMA was lower in the radioiodine-exposed group (RI group) than in the normal group. Treatment with fucoidan increased the staining intensity of these cells relative to the RI group. The total number of TUNEL-positive cells was significantly reduced in the fucoidan group as compared with the RI group at 2, 4, and 12 weeks post RI. Statistical analyses were conducted using the Kruskal-Wallis test and the Dunn’s post hoc multiple comparison test. Each bar shows the mean ± SD; *, compared to the normal control group; #, compared to the RI group. **p < 0.01, ***p < 0.001, #p < 0.05, ###p < 0.001, n = 4 mice in all groups; Bar size; 20 μm. NL, normal control; RI, RI-exposed group; F, administration of fucoidan before RI exposure