Fig 2: Decreased expression of fructose-1,6-bisphosphatase 1 in patients with liver fibrosis. A: Hepatic fructose-1,6-bisphosphatase 1 (FBP1) expression was examined by immunohistochemistry in patients with liver fibrosis and controls; B: Immunohistochemical staining was statistically analyzed to quantify the number of positive cells in each group; C: Expression of hepatic fibrosis marker alpha smooth muscle actin (α-SMA) and FBP1 was detected by Western blot analysis in patients with liver fibrosis and controls; D: Grayscale values of the respective protein bands were analyzed, and statistical significance relative to the normal group was assessed. All data are from three independent samples. Data are represented as the mean ± SD. aP < 0.05; bP < 0.001.

Fig 3: In mouse models of liver fibrosis, focal adhesion kinase inhibition ameliorates hepatic fibrosis. A: Liver tissues from mice in each group were stained with hematoxylin and eosin (HE) to observe inflammatory cell infiltration, cellular morphology, and lobular architecture; Masson’s trichrome staining and Sirius red staining were performed to assess fiber deposition; B: Immunohistochemical analysis was conducted to detect the expression of fructose-1,6-bisphosphatase 1 (FBP1) protein in the livers of mice from each group, and the number of positive cells in each group was statistically analyzed. Scale bar: 200 μm, 50 μm; C: Western blot (WB) analysis was used to detect the expression of liver fibrosis marker alpha smooth muscle actin (α-SMA), as well as focal adhesion kinase (FAK) and phosphorylated FAK (p-FAK) proteins, with β-actin as the internal control; D: Grayscale value analysis was performed, and statistical significance relative to the normal group or carbon tetrachloride (CCl4) group was assessed; E: WB analysis was employed to detect the protein expression of aerobic glycolysis enzymes, including lactate dehydrogenase A (LDHA), hexokinase 2 (HK2), phosphofructo-2-kinase/fructose-2,6-biphosphatase 3 (PFKFB3), pyruvate kinase M2 (PKM2), and FBP1, with β-actin as the internal control; F: Grayscale value analysis was conducted, and statistical significance relative to the normal group or CCl4 group was evaluated. All data are from three independent samples. Data are represented as the mean ± SD. aNot significant; bP < 0.01, cP < 0.001, dP < 0.0001.