The expression of growth factors was analyzed by Western blotting (A,B). Distributions of VEGF (C) and UCH-L1 (D) expressions based on immunohistochemistry and immunofluorescence staining results. Brown represents positive staining for VEGF in NDM, DM and DMR cytoplasms (magnification, ×200). UCH-L1 immunofluorescence staining of wounds in NDM, DM, and DMR groups on day 21. Nerve fibers stained with UCH-L1 exhibited small single varicosities in DM group in the area of re-epithelialization. UCH-L1-immunoreactive nerve fibers in the NDM and DMR groups were expressed in cross and longitudinal sections of large nerve bundles. Arrows indicate UCHL-1 positive nerve fibers (green, UCH-L1-nerve fiber; blue, DAPI) (magnification, ×400). * p < 0.05 DM compared with the NDM group, § p < 0.05 DMR compared with the NDM group, # p < 0.05 DMR compared with the DM group.