Fig. 6

Histologic analysis of the submandibular glands at 12 weeks after IR. a Hematoxylin and eosin staining (scale bar, 50 μm) (× 200). Yellow arrow, fibrosis area; green arrow, vacuolar degeneration. b Masson’s trichrome staining (scale bar, 200 μm) (× 40). Fibrosis areas are stained blue. c PAS staining (scale bar, 100 μm) (× 100). Acinar cells were stained red. d Detection of the co-transporter for NKCC1 (a marker of acinar cells). Red, NKCC1; blue, DAPI (scale bar, 50 μm) (× 200). e The percentages of fibrosis area per field (%) (**p < 0.01, *p < 0.05). f The percentage area of acinar cells per field (%) (**p < 0.01). g The percentage area of ductal portions per field (%) (**p < 0.01, *p < 0.05)