AKT-eNOS-NO pathway mediates spontaneous portosystemic shunts and therapeutic efficacy of SC79 in cirrhosis

Figure 6 In vivo validation of AKT-eNOS-nitric oxide signalling. A: Serum albumin in spontaneous portosystemic shunts (SPSS) and non-SPSS rats; B: Spleen weight in SPSS and non-SPSS rats; C: Liver-to-spleen weight ratio in SPSS and non-SPSS rats; D: Representative hematoxylin and eosin, Masson, and Sirius red staining of liver tissues; E: Quantification of Masson staining; F: Quantification of Sirius red staining; G: Expression of AKT, p-AKT, eNOS, and p-eNOS in liver tissues; H: Hepatic nitric oxide levels. Data are presented as mean ± SD (n = 5 per group). ^aP < 0.05; ^bP < 0.01; ^cP < 0.001. H&E: Hematoxylin and eosin; NO: Nitric oxide; SPSS: Spontaneous portosystemic shunts.