Figure 7.

Manipulating the gut microbiome through a cecal fistula did not trigger increased microglia activation in the intermediate NTS. Representative sections of intermediate NTS of animals fed a high-fat diet for seven weeks (HFD/F, n = 3) and rats fed regular chow (Chow/C and Chow/F, n = 3 respectively) are shown. Binary analysis of the area fraction of Iba1 immunoreactivity showed no significant difference in microglia activation between the groups. We can appreciate greater individual variability in the HFD/F and Chow/F groups than in the Chow/C cohort. Graphs represent mean + SEM Iba1 intensity. Scale bar = 200 μm.