Fig. 6
Effect of long-term TMAO exposure on BBB integrity and cognitive function of mice in conjunction with sub-acute inflammatory challenge. A Body weight gain in mice treated with TMAO through their drinking water (0.5 mg/ml) over 2 months, combined with a chronic low-dose administration of LPS (0.5 mg/kg/week, i.p.). Data are expressed as mean ± s.e.m., n = 8 mice, columns with different letters are significantly different at P < 0.05. B Cerebellar permeability index to sodium fluorescein 2h following administration in animals previously treated with TMAO through their drinking water (0.5 mg/ml) over 2 months, combined with a chronic low-dose administration of LPS (0.5 mg/kg/week, i.p.). Data are expressed as mean ± s.e.m., n = 8 mice, columns with different letters are significantly different at P < 0.05. C Typical confocal microscopic images of perivascular IgG deposition in male C57Bl/6J mice treated with TMAO through their drinking water (0.5 mg/ml) over 2 months, combined with a chronic low-dose administration of LPS (0.5 mg/kg/week, i.p.). Griffonia simplicifolia isolectin B4 (red) defines endothelial cells, areas of IgG deposition (white) are highlighted by arrow heads. D Distance travelled, E movement speed and F percentage of time in the centre as measured in the OFT in animals previously treated with TMAO through their drinking water (0.5 mg/ml) over 2 months, combined with a chronic low-dose administration of LPS (0.5 mg/kg/week, i.p.). Data are expressed as mean ± s.e.m., n = 8 mice. G Novel object discrimination index, calculated as described in Methods, of animals previously treated with TMAO through their drinking water (0.5 mg/ml) over 2 months, combined with a chronic low-dose administration of LPS (0.5 mg/kg/week, i.p.). Data are expressed as mean ± s.e.m., n = 8 mice, columns with different letters are significantly different at P < 0.05. H Percentage of spontaneous alternation and I total distance travelled in the Y-maze test for animals previously treated with TMAO through their drinking water (0.5 mg/ml) over 2 months, combined with a chronic low-dose administration of LPS (0.5 mg/kg/week, i.p.). Data are expressed as mean ± s.e.m., n = 8 mice