Comparisons of gut microbiota profiles in wild-type and gelatinase B/matrix metalloproteinase-9-deficient mice in acute DSS-induced colitis

Clinical and macroscopic parameters of DSS-induced inflammation in WT and MMP-9-/- mice. a Representation of the acute DSS model. DSS-exposed mice comprised of WT mice (n？=？10) and MMP-9-/- mice (n？=？10). Control mice received normal drinking water throughout the experiment (WT mice (n？=？10), MMP-9-/- mice (n？=？10)). All groups consisted of five males and five females. b Relative weight loss from the start of the experiment until the time of sacrifice (* day 9). c Absolute weight loss at the time of sacrifice. d Disease activity index including stools, blood, and weight loss at the time of sacrifice. e Colon weight/length (w/l) ratio. f Macroscopic damage score including mesenterial colonic adhesion, hyperemia along the colon, and length of colonic inflammation. Medians with interquartile ranges are shown and Mann–Whitney U tests were performed (***p？<？0.001