Figure 9.

Collagen fiber level in the liver.

Notes: (A) Photographs of liver sections stained with Masson’s trichrome. Black arrows denote the collagen fibers appearing in granulomas in the SiO₂ NP treated mice at days 30 and 60. Data are representative of at least six mice. (B) The hydroxyproline level in the liver of the SiO₂ NP treated mice at days 30 and 60. The hydroxyproline level in SiO₂ NP treated groups was significantly increased compared with control groups. *P<0.05 compared with control group using independent sample t-test. Data are representative of at least six mice. Scale bar =20 μm.

Abbreviations: Admin, administration; SiO₂ NPs, silica nanoparticles; HYP, hepatic hydroxyproline.