Fig. 3

Therapeutic efficacy of DNase-NZ against DSS-induced colitis in mice. a Scheme illustrating the experimental groups and treatment schedule. C57BL/6 mice were provided with 2.5% DSS dissolved in drinking water for five days to induce acute colitis. PBS, mesalamine (100 mg/kg), free DNase-I (500 U), or DNase-NZ (500 U) was intra-rectally administrated daily for 7 days (Day 0–6). All mice were killed for analysis on day 10. b Changes in body weight recorded daily (n = 5). Statistical significance was assessed against G2. c, d Image and quantitative measurement of colon lengths on day 10 (n = 5). e Disease activity index (DAI) scored daily based on weight loss, stool consistency, and rectal bleeding (n = 5). Statistical significance assessed against G2 f, g Quantitative analysis of pro-inflammatory cytokine levels including f IL-1β and g IL-6 using commercial ELISA kits (n = 5). h Quantitative analysis of colon MPO activity on day 10 (n = 5). i Representative H&E and AB-PAS staining images of colon tissues on day 10. Arrows in AB-PAS stained images indicates presence of mucin. Scale bars: 250 µm. j Histological scores based on microscopic appearance of H&E stained images (n = 5). Data are presented as mean ± SEM. Statistical significance was assessed using two-tailed Student’s t-test. *p < 0.0332, **p < 0.0021, ***p < 0.0002