Fig. 2

Prophylactic administration of the Bl-cyp strain more effectively attenuated DSS-induced colitis. a Mice in the control, Bl-pET28a, Bl-cyp, Bl, Nfb and DSS groups with experimentally-induced colitis. b The body weights were recorded in the six groups beginning the day after DSS was added to the drinking water. c The DAIs were recorded in the six groups beginning the day after DSS was added to the drinking water, with scores based on body weight loss, rectal bleeding and diarrhea. d The entire colons in the six groups were harvested on Day 43. The numbers 1–6 represent the colon lengths in the control, DSS, Nfb, Bl, Bl-cyp and Bl-pET28a groups, respectively. e Comparison of the colon lengths in the DSS group with those in the control, Bl-cyp, Nfb, Bl and Bl-pET28a groups, and comparison of those in the Bl-cyp with those in the Bl and Bl-pET28a groups. f Comparison of the IL-6 mRNA expression in the colon tissues of the DSS group with those in the control, Nfb, Bl-pET28a, Bl-cyp and Bl groups, and comparison of those in the Bl-cyp group with those in the Bl-pET28a and Bl groups. g Representative pictures of the H&E-stained colon tissues from the six groups (scale bars, 100 μm; magnification, 100x or 400x). h Comparison of the cumulative histology scores of the colon tissues in the DSS group with those in the control, Nfb, Bl-pET28a, Bl-cyp and Bl groups, and comparison of those in the Bl-cyp group with those in the Bl-pET28a and Bl groups. Data represent the means ± SD, n = 6–8 per group, *P < 0.05, **P < 0.01, ***P < 0.001; NS, not significant. Statistical significance was assessed using a one-way ANOVA, followed by Tukey’s test