Fig. 5

Impact of DNS- and CRS-ONS on olfactory function recovery in a MI-induced hyposmic mouse model. A Timeline and schematic of the MI-induced hyposmic mouse model, illustrating the treatment regimen with DNS- and CRS-ONS. B Hematoxylin and eosin-stained sections of the olfactory epithelium (OE) from experimental mice. The OE thickness was measured using ImageJ software. Scale bar, 20 µm. C Immunofluorescence images showing the expression of olfactory sensory neuron (OSN) markers OMP and AC3 in OE sections, with DAPI used for nuclear counterstaining. Quantitative analysis of OMP in OE sections was performed with three samples per group, and two images per sample. Scale bars: 20 µm. D Western blot analysis of AC3 and OMP protein levels in OE tissues. E Quantitative analysis of the time taken by mice to locate food in the food-finding test. F Representative IVIS images taken 24 h after intranasal administration of PKH-26-labelled PBS or DNS-ONS to mice. G Immunofluorescence images showing the expression of the human-specific mitochondrial antibody (hMit) and AC3 in OE sections, with DAPI used for nuclear counterstaining. Statistical analyses were performed using one-way ANOVA with Tukey’s post-hoc test. Data are presented as mean ± standard deviation. *P < 0.05 and #P < 0.01 for comparisons between MI and either DNS- or CRS-ONS treatment groups; **P < 0.05 and ##P < 0.01 for comparisons between control and MI groups (n = 5 per group)