Figure 8.

Sgpp2 deletion protects against colonic apoptosis and impaired mucosal integrity induced by DSS. Acute colitis was induced in WT, Sgpp1^−/−, and Sgpp2^−/− mice with 5% DSS. A) Apoptotic cells in colons were examined by TUNEL staining, and positive cells were quantified in 6 randomly selected fields. B) Expression of proapoptotic Bax was determined in colon lysates by Western blotting. Blots were stripped and immunoblotted with anti–glyceraldehyde 3-phosphate dehydrogenase (GAPDH) antibody to demonstrate equal loading and transfer. C) WT, Sgpp1^−/−, and Sgpp2^−/− mice were treated with water or 5% DSS for 1 d. FITC-dextran was administered orally, and its serum level was measured 4 h later. Data are means ± sem. *P < 0.05 compared with water control group. ^#P < 0.05 compared with WT + DSS group.