Fig. 2

Metformin prevents SiO₂-induced lung fibrosis in vivo in the early fibrotic stage. A Schematic diagram of metformin intervention in the silica-induced pulmonary fibrosis mouse model. B The histology of lung tissues was detected by H&E staining in different groups. C The protein levels of Fibronectin etc. in lung tissues via western blotting assay. D The collagen deposition of different groups was performed by hydroxyproline content assay, with **p < 0.01 vs. control and ^#p < 0.05 vs. the silica plus saline group