Dexmedetomidine ameliorates diabetic intestinal injury by promoting the polarization of M2 macrophages through the MMP23B pathway

Figure 5 The severity of diabetes-induced intestinal injury was positively correlated with MMP23 expression in mice. MMP23 KO mice were used to investigate the role of MMP23 in intestinal injury. A-C: Hematoxylin and eosin staining revealed a less severe injury in the intestines of MMP23 knockout mice; D-I: Immunofluorescence analysis demonstrated a significant reduction in the intestinal injury marker after 24 hours of treatment; J and K: The protein expression of occludin and ZO-1 was significantly upregulated following MMP23 knockout, as revealed by immunofluorescence analysis. Scale bar = 50 μm. ^bP < 0.01, ^cP < 0.001, ^dP < 0.0001. DB: Diabetes group.