Degradation of Mg-6Zn alloy stents does not influence the healing of the common bile duct in vivo

Abstract To investigate the effects of Mg-6Zn alloy on the healing of the common bile duct (CBD), Mg-6Zn alloy stents were implanted into the CBDs of rabbits. Stainless steel stents were transplanted into a second group of rabbits to serve as a control. Computed tomography (CT) scanning was performed and weight loss was recorded to evaluate the in vivo degradation process. Hematoxylin and eosin staining and immunohistochemical analyses were performed to determine the expressions of transforming growth factor (TGF)-β, vascular