Figure 2  .

Morphometric estimates of the small intestine in control and streptozotocin induced diabetic rats fed either a fibre-containing or a fibre-free diet. (A) Cross sectional area of the mucosal layer; (B) cross sectional area of the muscle layer; (C) villus height; (D) villus surface area; (E) crypt depth. Data are expressed as mean (SEM). **p<0.01 v respective controls; †p<0.01 v diabetes fibre-free. Villus height (C) and crypt depth (E) were increased about 60% and 40% respectively in the proximal jejunum of the diabetic rats fed the fibre-containing diet compared with controls. The average area of the villi (D) tended to be increased in the proximal jejunum. Villus height (C), villus area (D), and crypt depth (E) were similar in all three intestinal parts examined in the two control groups and the diabetic group fed the fibre-free diet.