Western blot analysis demonstrated that TP increased HSP70, TGF-β and IGF-1 protein levels. There were 10 rats in each group, with 5 rats observed 4 weeks following surgery and 5 rats observed 8 weeks following surgery. (A) Quantification analysis of HSP70, TGF-β and IGF-1 protein levels in each group at the 4th week following surgery. (B) Protein bands of HSP70, TGF-β and IGF-1 4 weeks following surgery in each group. (C) Quantification analysis of HSP70, TGF-β and IGF-1 protein levels in each group at the 8th week following surgery. (D) Protein bands of HSP70, TGF-β and IGF-1 8 weeks following surgery in each group. Data were analyzed by repeat measures analysis of variance. *P<0.05 vs. the normal group; #P<0.05 vs. the model group. NC, negative control; TP, thermal pretreatment; HSP, heat shock protein; siRNA, small interfering RNA; TGF-β, tumor growth factor β; IGF-1, insulin-like growth factor 1.