Fig. 2.

Metformin inhibits TNC microglial activation and mitigates inflammatory responses following NTG application. a-e Immunobloting detection of NLRP3, ASC, p20 and mature IL-1β subsequent to NTG and metformin management (n = 6). f Images depicting Iba1 immunostaining treated with NTG and metformin. g The enlarged view of Iba-1 aligns with the area framed with a dashed white line in f. h–k Immunofluorescent analysis of Iba-1⁺ microglia, Iba1 immunostaining, the overall length of processes as well as the average length of initial processes for each microglia (n = 5). Analysis was carried out on three mouse samples, each consisting of 4–6 FOVs. Scale bar = 20 μm. Data are depicted as mean ± SEM; two-way ANOVA with post-hoc Tukey’s test; **p < 0.01, ***p < 0.001 compared with the VEH group; ^##p < 0.001, ^###p < 0.001 compared with the NTG group