Obstructed segments display distorted architecture and loss of mucosal integrity
The obstructed group of mice displayed a highly distorted epithelial architecture in the ileum and proximal colon, which were the segments that were regularly affected by the accumulation of food particles and fecal bacteria rich material (Figure 4a). The mucosal barrier was clearly destroyed and a clear separation between intra- and extracellular mucus was not possible in many instances, and areas were identified where the epithelium was sloughed off the lamina propria. All these changes had occurred in the live mouse within a relatively short time span and demonstrates the severe ulcerative behaviour of the luminal content in conjunction with the altered physiological state of the intestinal segment.