Protein analysis via ELISA revealed lower levels of transforming growth factor β1 (TGF-β1), COX-2, heat shock protein 90 (HSP-90), and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) in TQ-treated groups, while immunohistochemical analysis confirmed reduced smad4 expression and increased inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) in AOM-treated tissues, effects that were counteracted by TQ treatment [28]. This evidence concerns the gene VEGFA and infectious otitis media.