Figure 6.
Changes in extracellular matrix (ECM) in liver sections following partial hepatectomy (PHx). (A) Control carbon tetrachloride (CCl4) group (a–c); hepatocyte growth factor/CCl4 (HGF/CCl4) group (d–f), four days after PHx (a, d), 10 days after PHx (b, e), and 14 days after PHx (c, f). Sections on day 4 after PHx showed extensive fibrotic development which was attenuated in the HGF group. ECM values in the HGF group degraded quickly and were normal by day 14 (original magnification ×40). (B) ECM content was assayed and expressed as a percentage of the total area of liver section. Data are mean (SD). **p<0.005, ***p<0.001 versus the control group (n=6).