Fig. 1

L. casei alleviates the adjuvant-induced arthritis of rats. Effects of L. casei on arthritis score (a) and increased hind paw volume (b) are shown (n = 7 for each group). Data in a, b are shown as mean ± s.e.m. Differences between groups are analyzed by two-way ANOVA (*P < 0.05, **P < 0.01, ***P < 0.001 VS model). The photographs, X-ray, and micro-CT images of ankles are shown in c. Representative images of pathological sections of knees in rats in different groups are shown in d. The pathological improvements are assessed by pathological score e. Radiological score and micro-CT score are evaluated using the micro-CT image and micro-CT analyzer, respectively (f, g). Data in e, f, and g are shown as mean ± s.e.m. Differences among groups are analyzed by one-way ANOVA. (*P < 0.05, **P < 0.01, ***P < 0.001 VS model). The integral assessments of the bone destruction levels are shown in (h). Data are shown as mean and classified into several levels. 0–0.2: normal; 0.2–0.4: light (Lig); 0.4–0.6: moderate (Mod); 0.6–0.8: severe (Sev); 0.8 and above: very severe. Normal, normal control; model, disease control; MTX, methotrexate