Restraint stress induces and exacerbates intestinal inflammation in interleukin-10 deficient mice

Figure 3 Histologic evaluations of (A) proximal and (B) distal colons in interleukin-10^-/- mouse colitis induced by piroxicam. Interleukin (IL)-10^-/- mice were exposed to restraint stress for 2 h per day for 3 consecutive days. IL-10^-/- mice were then treated with piroxicam for 4 d at a dose of 200 ppm in the rodent chow. The total histologic score was derived from the severity of total inflammation and crypt damage (mean ± SD). Mice with restraint stress exhibited severe colitis including inflammatory cell infiltration, crypt abscess, transmural inflammation, and ulceration, whereas mice without restraint stress showed epithelial hyperplasia and inflammatory cell infiltration. Results are representative of at least three separately examined sites (Magnification, x 40). Stress (+), restraint stress for 2 h. ^aP < 0.05 vs stress negative IL-10^-/- mice.