2.10. H&E staining of mouse liver tissue

The liver tissues from the experimental mice were fixed with 10% formalin solution and soaked for 48 h. Then, the tissue samples were embedded in paraffin and sectioned. Paraffin sections were deparaffinized in xylene. Then, the sections were cooled to room temperature, and the specimens were then immersed into 100%, 100%, 90%, 80% and 70% alcohol for 5 min respectively. The sections were then immersed into the distilled water for 5 min. After rinsing three times with PBS, the sections were immersed into haematoxylin and incubated for 8–10 min. After rinsing sections under running water for 10–20 min, the samples were immersed into eosin to stain for 3 s. The samples were then rinsed under running water for 3–5 min. After the eosin staining, the sections were immersed in xylene to make it transparent for 40 min. After sections became transparent, the sections were sealed with a neutral gum and observed under a microscope.