Fig. 2. Scaffold implantation in the back of rats. (a) Gross images (upper panels) and HE-stained (lower panels) back tissues of the NAg-CCS and blank CCS groups after scaffold implantation on postoperative Days 3 and 7. (b) Representative images showing the IHC of MMP-1 and TIMP-1 of the two groups. (c, d) Results of quantitative IHC analyses of MMP-1 (c) and TIMP-1 (d). Data are expressed as mean±standard deviation (SD) ( n=3). ^* P<0.05, ^*** P<0.001. HE: hematoxylin-eosin; NAg: nanosilver; CCS: collagen-chitosan scaffold; IHC: immunohistochemistry; MMP-1: matrix metalloproteinase-1; TIMP-1: metallopeptidase inhibitor-1.