Figure 4.

The effects of dietary treatments on the gene expressions of matrix metalloproteinases (MMP) and tissue inhibitors of MMPs (TIMP) (A) and on the activity of matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) (B) in the colon of DSS-treated piglets. (A) Colon samples were analyzed for the TIMPs/MMPs gene expressions. The expression of target gene was normalized to the geometric mean of two reference genes; the results, expressed as fold changes (Fc) are presented as mean ± SEM. Values are the means from two independent replicates of colon samples (n = 5/group), with their standard errors represented by vertical bars. ^a,b Groups with unlike superscript letters were significantly different (p < 0.05; one-way ANOVA followed by Fisher test). (B) Colon lysates were resolved on SDS–PAGE gelatin zymography as described in Materials and Methods. Results were expressed as arbitrary units (A.U.) and are represented as means ± SEM. ^a,b Groups with unlike superscript letters were significantly different (p < 0.05; one-way ANOVA followed by Fisher test).