Fig. 4

General indicators and colonic pathology of DSS-induced colitis mice and control mice. A total of 15 C57BL/6 mice were randomly divided into the NC group (n = 5) and the DSS group (n = 10, three mice died). DSS-induced colitis model was administered by 3% DSS for 7 days in the drinking water, and the dynamic process of colitis was monitored. A–C DAI score (A), body weight (B), and weight loss (C) were worsened significantly in the colitis group compared with the NC group. DAI score was significantly increased in a fluctuating manner in the DSS group, while the body weight and weight loss were decreased considerably from the 3rd day of DSS administration. D, E Colon length was significantly shortened in the colitis group compared with the NC group. F, G The histopathological changes: The NC group displayed clear colon mucosal structure, integrated epithelium, and ordered glands with enriched goblet cells, but without conspicuous inflammatory infiltrates in the lamina propria. In contrast, the DSS group exhibited severely damaged epithelium with a few epithelial cells, incomplete glands, and wide spreading of inflammatory infiltrates, which were the hallmarks of inflammatory colonic injury. Data are colonic macrograph, representative histopathological images (scale bar: 100 μm) or expressed as the mean ± SEM of each group. *P < 0.05, **P < 0.01, ***P < 0.001 ****P < 0.0001. NC normal control group, DSS DSS-induced colitis group