Fig 2: TM enhanced M2 polarization in a proinflammatory microenvironment. a Immunohistochemical staining of transverse nerve sections from Sprague-Dawley rats. S100 and PGP9.5 staining of a transverse nerve section demonstrated a higher proportion of Schwann cells and axons in TM-treated nerves. TM treatment also reduced the number of GFAP+ cells at the site of injury. n = 5. b Immunolabeling of CD68, CD86, and CD206 in nerve sections from the TM and PBS groups. Scale bar, 20 µm. n = 5. Mean ± SD. *p < 0.05 compared with the PBS group

Fig 3: Effects of EA on the expressions of TRPV1 (green) and PGP 9.5 (red) in the distal colon in different groups. (A) The expression of TRPV1+ PGP 9.5+ neurons in the submucosal layer and myenteric plexus of the colonic wall. Arrows indicate the location of TRPV1+ PGP 9.5+ neurons. Scale bar=50 µm. (B) The quantitative expression of TRPV1+ PGP 9.5+ neurons in different groups. *P<0.05.

Fig 4: Expression and degranulation of mast cells in the distal colon in different groups of rats. (A) The expression of mast cells (tryptase+ cells) and the co-localization of mast cells (tryptase+ cells) and nerve endings (PGP9.5+ cells). Arrows indicate the tryptase+ cells. White stars show the connections between mast cells and nerves. Scale bar=50 µm. (B) Quantitative expressions of tryptase+ cells in different groups of rats. *P<0.05. (C) Toluidine blue staining of the distal colon with dark-violet-colored mast cells in a blue background (40×). Degranulated mast cells are noted with the presence of granules (indicated by white arrows). (D) Quantitative expressions of activated mast cells in different groups of rats. *P<0.05.