Fig. 4.

Effects of AC on signaling molecules that regulate TJ structure and function, on the upregulation of ileum NADPH oxidases and NOS2, and on protein oxidation induced by HFD consumption in mice. A- Phosphorylation levels of p65 (Ser536), ERK1/2 (Thr202/Tyr204) and MLC (Ser19) in total ileum homogenates were measured by Western blot. Bands were quantified and values normalized to non-phosphorylated protein levels. B- Total protein levels of NOX1, NOX4, NOS2 and 4-HNE-protein adducts (MW: 40 kDa). Proteins were measured by Western blot in the ileum of mice fed a control diet (empty bars), the control diet supplemented with 40 mg AC/kg body weight (dashed bars), a HFD (black bars), or the HFD supplemented with 40 mg AC /kg body weight (blue bars) for 14 weeks. Bands were quantified and values normalized to HSC70 levels (loading control). Results were referred to those of the control group (C). Results are shown as mean ± SE of 6–8 animals/treatment. Values having different superscripts are significantly different (p < 0.05, One-way ANOVA test). (For interpretation of the references to colour in this figure legend, the reader is referred to the Web version of this article.)