Fig. 5: Immunohistochemical analysis of denervation.

Semiquantitative scores of tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) staining intensity within A, proximal B, and distal C to the ablation area in control and treatment groups. Values are expressed as mean ± SD, n = 6 for each group. The two-sided P value was calculated from the Kruskal-Wallis test followed by all pairwise multiple comparisons. *P < 0.05 vs. control. D Representative images of injured nerves (solid arrow) with hematoxylin and eosin (H&E), Movat pentachrome stains and immunohistochemical stains against S-100 and TH. A strong positive reaction to S-100 verifies the presence of nerve fascicles, whereas a weak reaction to TH demonstrates functional nerve damage. RFA, radiofrequency ablation. Each experiment was repeated independently with similar results for three times. Source data are provided as a Source Data file.