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.