Fig 2: SCGN expression in the PVN of rats. (a) Representative bands of SCGN protein levels and quantification of SCGN protein levels and (b) SCGN mRNA levels at 6 h and 24 h in the control, hepatectomy, and EA+hepatectomy groups after hepatectomy. (c) Immunofluorescence staining of SCGN in the PVN among the control, hepatectomy, and EA+hepatectomy groups at 6 h and 24 h after surgery. Scale bar = 100 μm. (d) Quantification of SCGN-positive neurons in the control, hepatectomy, and EA+hepatectomy groups at 6 h and 24 h after hepatectomy. Data are presented as the mean ± SEM (n = 4). ∗ vs. control group (p < 0.05): ∗∗p < 0.01, ∗∗∗p < 0.001; # vs. hepatectomy group (p < 0.05): ##p < 0.01, ###p < 0.001.

Fig 3: Virus-mediated shRNA knockdown of SCGN in the neurons of PVN in rats and the change of SCGN expression. (a) The CMV viral vector and the locations of the CMV injection sites in rat brain and SCGN levels in the control, hepatectomy, scramble shRNA+hepatectomy, and SCGN shRNA+hepatectomy groups at 24 h after hepatectomy. (b) Immunofluorescence staining of SCGN, GFP, and DAPI in the PVN and quantification of SCGN-positive neurons among the control, hepatectomy, scramble shRNA+hepatectomy, SCGN shRNA+hepatectomy, and EA+hepatectomy groups after surgery. Scale bar = 100 μm. All data are shown as the mean ± SEM (n = 4). ∗ vs. control group (p < 0.05): ∗∗p < 0.01; # vs. hepatectomy group (p < 0.05): ##p < 0.01, ###p < 0.001.