Houttuynia cordata Polysaccharide Ameliorates Chronic Inflammation-Induced Intestinal Impairment by Zonula Occludens-1 in Rats

Figure 2

Expression of ZO-1 in small intestinal tissues by immunohistochemical staining (×400). (a) Histological changes in the expression of ZO-1 in small intestinal tissues. (A) Control group; (B) LPS group; (C) DEX group; (D) HCPL group; (E) HCPM group; (F) HCPH group; (G) DEXP group: (A–G) Photomicrographs of ZO-1 immune-stained sections in the small intestine depicting integrity of the intestinal barrier; (b) quantitative analysis of immunohistochemical stains for ZO-1 in rats. Brown color (positive) stains for ZO-1 specific expression and light blue color (negative) denotes hematoxylin counterstain. Compared with the control group, the expression of ZO-1 protein in the LPS group was significantly reduced after injection of LPS in tail vein (once a week for 6 weeks) without any treatment, showing a scattered light-brown color. On the contrary, HCP treatment significantly enhanced the expression of ZO-1 protein as evidenced by a high-intensity brown color. ^##indicates extremely significant difference compared with the control group (), indicates an extremely significant difference compared with the LPS group ().

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