Figure 3.

Consumption of MDX decreases the mucosal barrier of the intestine and increases the proximity of commensal bacteria to the epithelial layer. Confocal images of fluorescent in situ hybridization using a universal Eubacteria probe on uninfected proximal colon sections from mice that consumed either water or MDX-supplemented water for 2 weeks. Bacterial localization scores were assessed on a 4-point scale (1= preserved mucus layer and no bacterial contact with the epithelium, 2= bacterial penetration into mucus layer without epithelial contact, 3= some bacteria in contact with epithelium, and 4= extensive epithelial contact with the epithelium).⁴⁵ Figure modified with permission from.²³