4.3 Histological analysis
The liver tissues were fixed in 4% paraformaldehyde, embedded in
paraffin and prepared into 5 μm sections. And then the Hematoxylin and
eosin (HE) staining, Masson’s Trichrome Staining and Sirius red staining
were applied to stain the above sections referring to the standard
procedure of the manufacturer. The liver fibrosis score was determined
by Sirius red staining and based on the METAVIR classification method
(F0 = no fibrosis, F1 = portal fibrosis without septa, F2 = portal
fibrosis with few septa, F3 = numerous septa without cirrhosis, and F4 =
cirrhosis)19.