Fig. 7

Probiotics counteracted irinotecan-induced inflammatory events. TNF-α (A) and IL-6 (B). Each bar represents the mean ± SEM of 6 mice. Statistics were carried out by one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) followed by Tukey's multiple comparisons test. *Significant difference from the control group at p < 0.05. a Significant difference from the Irinotecan group at p < 0.05. b Significant difference from Irinotecan + L. acidophilus group at p < 0.05. c Significant difference from Irinotecan + L. rhamnosus group at p < 0.05. Figure 8: Representative photomicrographs exhibited H & E stained colon sections (scale bar, 50 μm); (A) Control, showing normal histological architecture. (B, C, D and E) L. acidophilus, L. plantarum, L. rhamnosus and probiotic mixture treated respectively, showing no histopathological alterations. (F, G & H) Irinotecan treated, showing massive inflammatory cells infiltration (if) in the mucosa and submucosa, edema in the submucosa (ed) and focal mucosal necrosis (nc). (I) Irinotecan + L. acidophilus treated showing apoptosis in the mucosal and glandular epithelium (ap) and submucosal edema (ed). (J) Irinotecan + L. plantarum showing slight submucosal edema (ed) and few inflammatory cells infiltration (if). (K) Irinotecan + L. rhamnosus, showing inflammatory cells infiltration in the mucosa (if) and edema in the submucosa (ed). (L) Irinotecan + probiotic mixture, showing no histopathological alterations