Figure 4.

Treatment with sodium butyrate (BUT) reduces clinical symptoms and alters T cell phenotype in AOM-induced CRC model. Female C57BL/6 mice were injected intraperitoneal with 10 mg of AOM to induce colorectal cancer followed by 3 cycles of 2% DSS. Experimental groups consisted of: Naïve (n = 4), BUT (n = 4), AOM (n = 4), and AOM + BUT (n = 4). Clinical parameters consisted of percent weight loss (A) and survival (B), both of which were found to have significant differences in AOM vs. AOM + Resveratrol groups. (C) Representative colons stained with 1% Alcian blue. (D) Bar graph depicting number of tumors counted in each experimental group. (E) Representative colonoscopic images from experimental groups. (F) Bar graph depicting scores after examination of tumor polyps detected during colonoscopies. (G) Representative colon sections stained with H&E; scale bar = 100 µM at 40x objective. (H) Representative colon sections, which underwent PAS staining; scale bar = 100 µM at 40x objective. (I) Bar graphs depicting absolute cell numbers in MLN for general T cells (CD3+), T helper (CD3+CD4+), and cytotoxic (CD3+CD8+) T cells. (J–M) Bar graphs depicting absolute cell numbers in MLN for Tregs (J), Th cells producing IL-10 (K), Th17 (L), and Th1 (M) cells. Significance (p-value: * p < 0.05, ** p < 0.01, *** p < 0.005, **** p < 0.001) was determined by using one-way ANOVA and post-hoc Tukey’s test for bar/dot graphs, Mann–Whitney test for weight data, and log rank test for survival curve. Data are representative of at least 3 independent experiments.