Fig. 1

Morphological and functional changes in salivary glands after fucoidan treatment. a Body weight, (b) glandular weight, (c) salivary lag times, and (d) flow rates were measured. The mice in the fucoidan groups were heavier than those in the radioiodine (RI)-exposed group (RI group). The weights of the glands were not significantly different between all groups. Lag times and salivary flow rates in the fucoidan group were shorter and greater, respectively, than those in the RI group. Statistical analyses were done using the Kruskal-Wallis test and the Dunn’s post hoc multiple comparison test; ^*, compared between the normal control and the RI groups; ^#, compared between the RI and the fucoidan groups; ^$, compared between the normal control and the fucoidan groups. *, p < 0.05; **, p < 0.01; ***, p < 0.001, #, p < 0.05; ##, p < 0.01; ###, p < 0.001, $$, p < 0.01; $$$, p < 0.001, n = 4 mice in all groups. NL, normal control; RI, RI-exposed group; F, administration of fucoidan before RI exposure