Figure 6

Immunohistochemical analysis for molecular changes in osteoarthritis of the knee with and without ESWT in representative images of microscopic features, and the results, in graphs. DKK-1 expressions (A and a) were significantly higher in OA, and OA + OP groups, but not in the OP group as compared with the sham group (indicated as _*P < 0.05 and _**P < 0.001). ESWT significantly decreased the DKK-1 expressions, as compared with those without ESWT (indicated as #P < 0.05 and ##P < 0.001). DKK-1 expression was significantly higher in the OA + OP group than in the OA group and decreased after ESWT (indicated as ※P < 0.05 and ※※P < 0.001). The expressions of PCNA (B and b), VEGF (C and c) and BMP-2 (D and d) were significantly decreased in the OA, OP, and OA + OP groups, and the data increased after ESWT (indicated as _*P < 0.05 and _**P < 0.001). ESWT significantly increased PCNA, VEGF, and BMP-2 expressions, as compared with those without ESWT (indicated as #P < 0.05 and ##P < 0.001). The PCNA, VEGF, and BMP-2 expressions in the OA group significantly decreased as compared with the OA + OP group after ESWT (indicated as ※P < 0.05 and ※※P < 0.001). The scale bar represents 50 μm; n = 8. The arrows indicate the level of molecular expression in subchondral bone.