Fig. 1: Exacerbation of DSS-induced colitis by AR exposure in C57BL/6 mice. | Nature Communications

Fig. 1: Exacerbation of DSS-induced colitis by AR exposure in C57BL/6 mice.

From: Chronic exposure to synthetic food colorant Allura Red AC promotes susceptibility to experimental colitis via intestinal serotonin in mice

Fig. 1

C57BL/6 mice were either fed normal chow diet or exposed to 100 ppm AR via diet for 12 weeks (84 days) prior to induction of acute colitis by 3.5% DSS for 7 days. During DSS, mice were continuously exposed to AR. a Schematic illustration of the experimental design. b Body weight changes during DSS. c Disease activity index (DAI) during DSS. d Macroscopic score. e A representative image of colons. f Colon length (cm). g Colon weight (mg). h Fecal LCN2 levels. i Representative images of hematoxylin and eosin (H&E)-stained colon sections on day 7 post DSS; scale bar: 100 µm. j Histological score. k Colonic MPO levels. l Colonic IL-1β, IL-6, and TNF-α levels. m Relative mRNA expression of intestinal epithelial barrier function related genes. n Colonic 5-HT level. b, c Data were analyzed by two-way ANOVA with post hoc Bonferroni’s test and are expressed as mean ± SEM (n = 4 for Chow; n = 5 for AR and DSS; n = 8 for DSS + AR). d–n Data were analyzed by one-way ANOVA with post hoc Bonferroni’s test and are expressed as mean or mean ± SD (n = 4 for Chow; n = 5 for AR and DSS; n = 8 for DSS + AR). Significance is denoted by *p < 0.05, #p < 0.05, where *p < 0.05 versus Chow, and #p < 0.05 versus DSS. Source data are provided as a Source Data File.

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