Fig.5
Histological observation of cartilage sections and OA score. a From top to bottom, the typical results of HE staining, Masson’s trichrome staining, and Alcian blue staining. Compared with the other three groups (except group N), the surface of cartilage tissue in the MgSO4 group was smoother and maintained good chondrocytes, with a good arrangement of collagen fibers and higher density of proteoglycan. b The OA score of each group. The OA score of the MgSO4 group was substantially lower than that of the remaining three groups (except group N), and the OA score of the CaCl2 Group was the highest, but there was no statistical significance when compared with group NT or NaCl (P > 0.05). Black scale bar = 50 μm. *P < 0.05