Mice were weighed daily and were visually inspected for hunched posture, diarrhea, and rectal bleeding. On day 20, mice from each group were anesthetized with isoflurane (100% v/v, 1.5 vol. %, 1.5 L/min) (Florene; Abbott, Wiesbaden, Germany) and were given an enema (Freka-Clyss; Fresenius Kabi, Sèvres, France).
High-resolution colonoscopy was performed using a veterinary endoscopy workstation (Coloview; Karl Storz, Tuttlingen, Germany) to assess colitis. Under visual control, the rigid miniature endoscope (1.9-mm outer diameter) was inserted according to anatomic conditions. The modified murine endoscopic index of colitis severity (MEICS), which evaluates thickening of the colon, changing vascularity, and the presence of fibrin, granular mucosal surfaces, and also stool consistency (0–3 points each, maximum of 15 points), was used to investigate colonic inflammation.16 (link)
To measure colon length, the colon was excised between the ileocecal junction and proximal rectum and was measured with a ruler without stretching the organ. Subsequently, the colon was rinsed with ice-cold PBS and cut open longitudinally. A specimen of the distal colon was taken and immediately frozen in liquid nitrogen. The remaining colon was embedded for cryosectioning in a “swiss roll” configuration.17 (link)
High-resolution colonoscopy was performed using a veterinary endoscopy workstation (Coloview; Karl Storz, Tuttlingen, Germany) to assess colitis. Under visual control, the rigid miniature endoscope (1.9-mm outer diameter) was inserted according to anatomic conditions. The modified murine endoscopic index of colitis severity (MEICS), which evaluates thickening of the colon, changing vascularity, and the presence of fibrin, granular mucosal surfaces, and also stool consistency (0–3 points each, maximum of 15 points), was used to investigate colonic inflammation.16 (link)
To measure colon length, the colon was excised between the ileocecal junction and proximal rectum and was measured with a ruler without stretching the organ. Subsequently, the colon was rinsed with ice-cold PBS and cut open longitudinally. A specimen of the distal colon was taken and immediately frozen in liquid nitrogen. The remaining colon was embedded for cryosectioning in a “swiss roll” configuration.17 (link)