Fig. 4

Effects of fecal transplantations of normal control mice or restraint stress (RS)-treated mice on the occurrence of anxiety, depression, and colitis in the transplanted mice. A Effects on the time spent in open arm (OT) in the EPM task. B Effects on the time spent in the light box (TL) in the LDT task. Effects on the immobility in the TST (C) and FST (D). Effects on the BDNF expression and NF-κB activation (p-p65 to p65 ratio) (E) and IL-6 expression (F) in the hippocampus. Effect on corticosterone (CORT, G) and IL-6 (H) in the blood. Effects on colon length (I), myeloperoxidase activity (J), TNF-α and IL-6 expression, and NF-κB activation in the colon. FN and FR groups were treated with the fecal microbiota of normal mice and RS-treated mice daily for 5 days, respectively. NC group was orally treated with vehicle (saline) instead of the fecal microbiota. Data values were indicated as mean ± SD (n = 6). ^#p < 0.05 vs. NC group