Strong expression of proinflammatory cytokine expression in the
intestinal segments proximal to the obstruction
Proinflammatory cytokine expression is more sensitive to detect low
level inflammation than MPO staining. Tnfα , Mcp1 , andIl1β mRNA levels were assessed in the different intestinal
segments of all gavaged mice (Figure 8a-c). The expression levels were
low in Cftr+/+ andCftr-/- intestine, irrespective of treatment,
except in the case of an obstruction having occurred. Proinflammatory
cytokine expression levels were significantly increased in all segments
proximal to the obstructed site, but not in the segment distal to the
obstructed site (mid-distal colon). However, the relative increase was
approx. 10 fold higher in the ileum and proximal colon, the segments
that were in contact with the fecal matter, than in the jejunum, which
is usually free of fecal content when the obstruction was clinically
detected and the mice sacrificed. Please observe the different y-axis of
the individual bargraphs.