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.