fig3

Figure 3. Tissue integrity, functionality and viability of the human colon tissue explants in the IEBC exposed to supernatant from i-screen (untreated control, inulin-treated, and untreated control with added SCFA) for 24 h (n = 5-13/group). For i-screen ctrl and i-screen inulin-treated, data were collected from 3 independent experiments; for i-screen ctrl with added SCFA data, were collected from one experiment (donor 3). (A) Average FD4 permeability, expressed as leakage (%)/h, between 20-24 h; (B and C) The average P_app of antipyrine (10 μM). (B) and atenolol (10 μM), (C) was calculated between 20-24 h; (D) Ratio of transcellular transport (P_app antipyrine) to paracellular transport (P_app atenolol); (E) Cumulative LDH release into the apical and basolateral compartments and (F) intracellular LDH were determined after 24 h and compared to the level of intracellular LDH at t = 0 h. Black error bars with points represent estimated marginal means with standard errors, obtained from linear mixed-effects models. *P < 0.05; **P < 0.01. IEBC: Intestinal explant barrier chip; SCFA: short-chain fatty acid; FD4: FITC Dextran 4000; P_app: apparent permeability; LDH: lactate dehydrogenase.