Acupuncture Alleviates Corneal Inflammation in New Zealand White Rabbits with Dry Eye Diseases by Regulating α7nAChR and NF-κB Signaling Pathway

Figure 4

The IVCM images of the anterior and posterior stromal layers under the cornea on the 35th day. Quiet stromal cells, a small number of globular immune cells, and nerve fibers (Con). A large number of globular immune cells as shown by the arrow and activated stromal layer cells with unclear borders and irregular sizes. Areas with irregular intercellular spaces were seen. A change in nerve width was seen with the decreasing nerve branch reflectivity (Scop). Disordered stromal cells and intermittently thinner nerve fibers with high tortuous (Scop + Sham). The morphology of the stromal layer cells was improved, the cells were slightly activated, and there was no obvious abnormality in nerve reflexes. This indicates that the signs of inflammation in the corneal stromal layer were significantly reduced (Scop + Acup). Quiet stromal cells and nerve fibers (Scop + Flu). The image size is 400 × 400 microns.