Figure 5.

VAD induces inflammatory responses in the intestine by activating the NF-κB signaling pathway. (a) Representative photomicrographs of intestinal sections of mice from VAS, VAD, and VADR groups using H & E staining. (b) Plasma LPS and TNF-α concentrations were analyzed of mice described for (a) by ELISA. (c, d) PCR measurements of relative intestinal inflammation markers (TNF-α, IFN-γ, IL-6, and IL-1β) and tight-junction integrity markers (ZO-1, occludin) of mice described for (a). (e) The protein levels in NF-κB signal pathways were analyzed of mice described for (a) using western blotting. (f) The protein levels of IKK were analyzed of mice described for (a) using ELISA. Error bars represent S.E (n = 6/group). ^∗p < 0.05, ^∗∗p < 0.01, and ^∗∗∗p < 0.001.