FITC-labeled dextran intestinal permeability assay

Intestinal permeability was examined on day 7 using the FITC-labeled dextran method, as previously described [61]. Briefly, mice were gavaged with 60 mg/100 g of FITC dextran (MW 4,000 at 80 mg/mL, Sigma) 4 h before sacrifice. Cardiac puncture was performed, blood was collected, and FITC concentrations were measured in plasma (Fluorimeter Pharos FX; BioRad, Hercules, CA, USA). A standard curve was obtained by diluting serial concentrations of FITC-Dextran in mouse serum. Serum analysis of FITC concentration was immediately performed in triplicate by using Spectra Max M5 (485/520 nm).