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. 2022 Apr 25;11(9):1445. doi: 10.3390/cells11091445

Figure 6.

Figure 6

Exposure to inhaled diesel exhaust particles increases matrix metalloproteinase 9 (MMP-9) expression in the small intestine of C57Bl/6 male mice, which is not observed in probiotic treated mice. Representative images of MMP-9 expression in the three regions of the small intestine of C57Bl/6 male mice on a high-fat diet exposed to saline (CON; A–C), diesel exhaust particles (DEP-35 µg PM; D–F), saline, and probiotics (CON + PRO, 0.3 g/d of Ecologic® Barrier probiotics; G–I), or diesel exhaust particles and probiotics (DEP + PRO, 0.3 g/d of Ecologic® Barrier probiotics; J–L) twice a week for 4 w. Panels show merged images within the duodenum (A,D,G,J), jejunum (B,E,H,K), and ileum (C,F,I,L). Red fluorescence indicates MMP-9 expression and blue fluorescence indicates nuclear staining (Hoechst). Graph (M) shows the histological analysis of MMP-9 by region, (N) shows the global (cumulative expression of three portions) analysis of MMP-9 expression in the small intestine, and (O) shows the global mean normalized gene expression of MMP-9 mRNA transcript expression in the small intestine, as determined by RT-qPCR. 40× magnification, scale bar = 100 µm. Data are depicted as ± SEM with * p < 0.05 compared to CON, † p < 0.05 compared to DEP.