Figure 3.

HCTZ impaired the gastrointestinal barrier

(A) HCTZ increased the appearance of FITC-dextran in serum in both the NCD- and HFD-fed groups (n = 5–8 per group). ∗∗p < 0.01.

(B and C) HCTZ decreased the expression of the tight junction proteins occludin (B) and ZO-1 (C) in the ileum (n = 5–8 per group). ∗p < 0.05, ∗∗p < 0.01. Data are represented as mean ± SEM.

(D) Representative immunofluorescence images for occludin (green) and ZO-1 (red) in the ileum are shown. Scale bar = 50 μm.

(E) Representative images of H&E staining. Red arrows indicate muscularis thickness. Yellow arrows indicate goblet cells. Scale bar = 50 μm.