Fig. 1

Effects of LIPUS on NS-SV-AC and NS-SV-DC cells. a Following TNF-α stimulation, a significant decrease in cell numbers was observed for both cell types. These numbers increased following a single exposure to LIPUS. These data are presented as the fold number relative to each control cell type. *p < 0.05; **p < 0.01 (n = 6). b 2-(2-methoxy-4-nitrophenyl)-3-(4-nitrophenyl)-5-(2,4-disulfophenyl)-2H-tetrazolium monosodium salt assay showed results similar to the cell count assay for both cell types. *p < 0.05; **p < 0.01 (n = 5). c Immunofluorescence assays were performed to detect expression of AQP5 (green) in NS-SV-AC and NS-SV-DC cells. Staining intensity markedly decreased following TNF-α treatment, whereas TNF-α plus LIPUS restored AQP5 expression to levels exhibited by untreated cells. Scale bar = 100 μm. d The net water flow (e.g., fluid secretion rates) for NS-SV-AC and NS-SV-DC cells were significantly lower following TNF-α stimulation, whereas TNF-α plus LIPUS significantly increased the rate for both cell types. *p < 0.05; **p < 0.01 (n = 3). AQP5 aquaporin 5, LIPUS low-intensity pulsed ultrasound, NS-SV-AC salivary gland acinar cells, NS-SV-DC salivary gland ductal cells, TNF-α tumor necrosis factor α