The effect of butyrate on the expression of tight junction proteins in the ileums. Control: Control group, SAP: SAP group, SAP + butyrate: SAP + butyrate group. (A) The mRNA expression of Zona Occludens 1 (ZO-1) detected by RT-PCR. Control group versus SAP group: P < .001, Control group versus SAP + butyrate group: P < .01, SAP group versus SAP + butyrate group: P < .05. (B) The mRNA expression of occludin detected by RT-PCR. Control group versus SAP group: P < .01, Control group versus SAP + butyrate group: P < .01, SAP group versus SAP + butyrate group: P < .05. (C) ZO-1 and occludin level by Western blotting. (D) ZO-1 protein relative to glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase (GAPDH) level. Control group versus SAP group: P < .01, Control group versus SAP + butyrate group: P >.05, SAP group versus SAP + butyrate group: P < .01. (E) Occludin protein relative to GAPDH level. Control group versus SAP group: P < .05, Control group versus SAP + butyrate group: P > .05, SAP group versus SAP + butyrate group: P > .05. n = 8 in each group. SAP, severe acute pancreatitis; RT-PCR, reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction.