Table 2. Goblet cell morphology in DSS + TNF-α neutralizing antibody treated group in comparison to only DSS treatment.

Groups		Percentage of total goblet cells
		Filled	Releasing Mucus	Empty
Day 2	DSS only	77.4±3.6	16.5±1.2	6.1±0.6
	DSS + anti-TNF-α	67.9±1.2	22±0.7	10.1±0.5
Day 5	DSS only	37.1±0.9	22.6±0.5	40.2±0.7
	DSS + anti-TNF-α	59.6±1.3*	22.8±0.7	29.4±1.6*
Day 9	DSS only	ND	ND	ND
	DSS + anti-TNF-α	19.6±0.4	21.6±0.3	58.8±1.0

Data are presented as % of goblet cells ± SEM. *P<0.05 when compared to DSS treated group of the respective day. Goblet cell morphology was quantified from randomly selected crypts of PAS stained sections. A minimum number of 100 (100–110) goblet cells were counted under 40 X magnification from each section. Only in the DSS + anti-TNFα treated group we were able to count 51 goblet cells. Goblet cell morphology was designated as previously described [28]. Filled goblet cells: goblet cells with intact mucus granules; Releasing mucus: cells releasing mucus with PAS-stained mucus emerging as a thick stream; Empty goblet cells with PAS stained mucus absent from cells exhibiting a deep concave cavitation of the apical surface. ND: Not determined as the epithelial layer and crypts on day 9 of DSS treatment was destroyed or too damaged in the ulcerated site.