Fig 2.

MPTP-treated mice exhibited colon histopathological and functional deterioration. Male C57BL/6 mice were domesticated for 7 days then were treated with 200-µL saline containing MPTP (30 mg/kg) or 200-µL saline via intraperitoneal injection every day for a total of five times, starting from day 8. On day 14, the mice were sacrificed to determine the histopathology of the intestine (n = 6). (A and B) Representative hematoxylin-eosin staining image of colon sections and corresponding histological scores. (C) Representative colon images and quantification of colon length. (D) Time course of fecal output in a novel environment over 15 min. (E) Total fecal pellets produced in 15 min. (F and G) Representative immunofluorescence images and quantification of ZO-1 intensity in the gut (n = 3). (H and I) Representative bands of ZO-1 protein in the intestine determined by WB and quantification of ZO-1 expression (n = 3). Data are expressed as mean ± SD, and representative results are one of three independent experiments. All statistical differences were tested using unpaired two-tailed Student’s t-test. **P < 0.01, ***P < 0.001. n.s., not significant.