Fig. 5
From: DHEA-induced ovarian hyperfibrosis is mediated by TGF-β signaling pathway
TGF-β signaling pathway was down-regulated after treating with SB431542. a Collagen of ovaries slices was stained by Sirius red (Left is Vehicle group, and right is SB431542 treated group). By immunohistochemical analysis, downregulation of TGF-β (b) and p-Smad3 (c) was observed in SB431542 group compared to vehicle-control rats. d Vehicle exposed (the top) and SB431542 treated (the bottom). PCOS-like rat ovary tissue sections were IHC stained for a-SMA. (×100). e The expression of vehicle treated and SB431542 treated rat ovarian TGF-β (left) and Smad3 (middle) and p-Smad3 (right) protein were measured relative to GAPDH levels. f The expression of vehicle treated and SB431542 treated rat ovarian Smad2 (left) and p-Smad2 (right) protein were measured relative to GAPDH levels. g a-SMA and MMP2 protein expression in vehicle and SB431542 treated rat ovaries was tested by Western blot. (n = 6 in each group. The results are presented as mean ± SD of three independent experiments. *p ≤ 0.05, **p ≤ 0.001, ***p ≤ 0.002, “→” is directed in the direction of fibrosis. “▲” is directed in the direction of a-SMA; A, albuginea)