In vivo intestinal epithelial permeability was evaluated as previously described [13 (link)]. The rats in each group were fasted for 12 h, and 500 mg/kg fluorescein isothiocyanate (FITC)-dextran solution was intragastrically administered the following day. After 4 h, 4% (w/v) chloral hydrate was intraperitoneally administered. Thereafter, blood samples (5 ml) were collected from the left ventricle, and serum FITC levels determined at 450 nm using a microplate fluorometer from Thermo Fisher Scientific, Inc. (Rochester, NY, USA).