Fig. 1: Antenatal dexamethasone decreases NEC incidence, severity, and serum inflammatory cytokine levels. | Pediatric Research

Fig. 1: Antenatal dexamethasone decreases NEC incidence, severity, and serum inflammatory cytokine levels.

From: Necrotizing enterocolitis intestinal barrier function protection by antenatal dexamethasone and surfactant-D in a rat model

Fig. 1

The incidence of NEC (a), histologic scores of NEC from ileal tissue (b) in DEX−FF (n = 34) and DEX+FF (n = 35) groups. The histologic scores: 0, no histological damage; 1, mild with epithelial sloughing; 2, moderate with mid villous necrosis present as moderate separation of the submucosa and/or lamina propria and/or edema in the submucosa and muscular layers; 3, severe with total villous necrosis; and 4, transmural necrosis. c Serum levels of inflammatory cytokines IL-1α, IL-1β, IL-6, and TNF-α were quantified using a multiplex immunoassay in DEX−MF and DEX+MF pups (n = 2 per group) (inset), and in DEX−FF (n = 4) and DEX+FF (n = 4). The results are presented as mean ± SEM. Student’s t test was used to detect differences between the groups. Bars denote a significant difference between experimental groups (*p < 0.05, **p < 0.01, and ***p < 0.001).

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