Figure 4.

MRI scans revealed that HUMSC transplantation increased the alveolar volume in the left lungs of rats with PF. The horizontal image displays the MRI of rats' thoracic cavities from the level of the trachea carina. Black signals in the thoracic cavity represent space occupied by alveoli. L indicates the left side of the body, and R indicates the right. The space occupied by alveoli is clearly seen in both the left and right lungs in the Normal group (A). (B) MRI of the rats' thoracic cavities in the BLM-treated group. On Day 7, the alveolar space was significantly reduced in the left lung, and white consolidated tissues appeared. On Day 14, the alveolar volume in the left lungs was almost completely lost and had become occupied by consolidated tissue, which was sustained until Day 49. MRI of the thoracic cavities in the BLM+HUMSCs (LD) (C) and BLM+HUMSCs (HD) (D) groups is presented. Summing the black alveolar spaces in five MRI scans for each rat indicated that the alveolar volume was significantly reduced following BLM damage. Transplantation of high doses of HUMSCs effectively increased the alveolar volume (E) (n=4 animals per group). The body weights of the rats in each group were documented for 7 weeks following Day 0, when the BLM had not yet been administered. The results indicated that the transplantation of high doses of HUMSCs improved the body weight of rats with PF (F). The animal number per group is shown in F. ✱ vs the Normal group at the same time, p < 0.05. # vs the BLM group at the same time, p < 0.05.