Figure 3 Colon length and histopathology analysis for effect of Bifidobacterium bifidum colonization on dextran sulfate sodium-induced colon damage. (A) Average colon length was shorter in the control groups than those in the treated groups, but the difference was not significant. (B) Histologic scores were significantly lower in the mice pretreated with B. bifidum for 5 weeks (* P<0.05). (C–F) Inflammation was more serious in the control groups than in the B. bifidum-treated and -pretreated groups. The control groups exhibited inflammatory cell infiltration, moderate to severe erosion of the lamina propria mucosa, and even ulcerative damage (hematoxylin and eosin staining, magnification ×100).