Melatonin attenuates splanchnic hyperdynamic circulation in cirrhotic portal hypertension by disrupting POMK-VEGFR2 interaction

Figure 4 VEGFR-2 inhibition alleviated bile duct ligation-induced cirrhotic portal hypertension. A: Construction of animal model of liver cirrhosis and AZD2171 administration; B: The portal hypertension hemodynamic parameters in rats from 4 groups; C: The histological staining of liver tissue sections using hematoxylin and eosin, Masson’s trichrome, and Sirius red. Immunohistochemical (IHC) staining of Collagen I and α-smooth muscle actin; in rat livers; D: Quantitative analysis of histopathological and IHC staining in C; E: Representative IHC images of CD68 in the mesentery; F: Quantitative analysis of CD68-positive cells; G: Representative IHC images of CD31 in the mesentery; H: Quantitative analysis of CD31 staining intensity. ^aP < 0.05. ^bP < 0.01. α-SMA: Α-smooth muscle actin; HE: Hematoxylin and eosin; BDL: Bile duct ligation.