Fig. 3

Biochemical and hematological parameters of DSS-induced colitis: the colonic levels of a MPO activity, b tGSH, c IL-6 and d TNF-α; the serum levels of e IL-6 and f TNF-α; the hematologic results of (g) white blood cells. Each point represents a single sample. Asterisks and plus signs represent significant differences (***P < 0.001, **P < 0.01, *P < 0.05, ⁺⁺⁺P < 0.001, ⁺⁺P < 0.01, ⁺P < 0.05, Dunnett’s post hoc test following ANOVA) versus the normal control and the DSS control, respectively. Different lower-case letters mark significant differences (P < 0.05, ANOVA followed by LSD test) between AuNP-treated groups