Alkaline sphingomyelinase deficiency impairs intestinal mucosal barrier integrity and reduces antioxidant capacity in dextran sulfate sodium-induced colitis

Figure 1 Alkaline sphingomyelinase deficiency exacerbates dextran sulfate sodium-induced colitis in mice. The mice were treated with 3% dextran sulfate sodium (DSS) in drinking water for 6 d. A: Body weight (BW) was measured, and the percentage of BW loss was calculated (n = 6 per group); B: The disease activity index (DAI) was calculated according to the stool bleeding score, BW loss, stool consistency, and disease signs (n = 4 per group); C: After 6 d of DSS treatment, the colon was removed, and the length of the colon was measured (before DSS, n = 3 per group; after DSS, n = 4 per group); D: The mRNA levels of tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha and interleukin (IL)-6 in colonic mucosal tissue were analyzed (n = 4 per group); E: Histopathological characterization of the colon was performed. Arrows: Decreased goblet cells; dysplastic glands; dilated congested blood vessels; destroyed mucosal layer; severe damage to the intestinal epithelium; intensive inflammatory cell infiltration to the submucosa and muscularis. ^aP < 0.05, ^bP < 0.01, ^cP < 0.005 compared with wild-type (WT). KO: Gene knockout.