Fig. 3

Effects of MMF exposure on the ratio of cartilage and mineralized bone matrix, and the distribution of osteoblasts and osteoclasts on the surface of bone trabeculae in callus. A Representative images of SFO/FG and Alcian blue staining on paraffin sections, the cartilage area (SFO and Alcian blue staining positive area) and mineralized area (FG staining positive area) of fracture callus were shown in the figure. B, C Histomorphometric quantification of cartilage area versus periosteal callus area (Cg.Ar./Ps.Cl.Ar.%) (B) and mineralized area versus periosteal callus area (Md.Ar./Ps.Cl.Ar.%) (C) between control and MMF exposure group during the fracture healing stage. D H&E staining of fracture callus; E TRAP staining of fracture callus; F osteoblast (black arrow point in A) number per bone surface (N.Ob/BS) on day 14 postfracture; G N.Ob/BS on day 28 postfracture; H osteoclast (red arrow point in B) number per bone surface (N.Oc/BS) on day 28 postfracture; I osteoclast surface per bone surface (Oc.S/BS) on day 28 postfracture. Scale bar = 100 μm in original images (4X), and Scale bar = 50 μm in enlarged images (40X). n = 8. Data represent the mean ± SD. **p < 0.01, ***p < 0.001