Fig. 1.

Metformin attenuates SiO₂-induced lung fibrosis in vivo in the late fibrotic stage. A Schematic diagram of the metformin treatment mouse model. B H&E staining reflected that the histological changes of lung tissues of different groups. C The protein levels of Fibronectin, Collagen I, E-cadherin, vimentin, and α-SMA in each group, with *p < 0.05 vs. control and ^#p < 0.05 vs. the silica group. D Hydroxyproline content of the lung tissues in each group was detected to measure collagen deposition, with **p < 0.01 vs. control and ^#p < 0.05 vs. the silica group