Fig. 3

Effects of Macleaya cordata extract on the levels of cytokines and immunoglobulins in the jejunal mucosa of broiler chickens with necrotic enteritis. The levels of IL-1β, IL-4, IL-10, IL-17 and IFN-γ (A) in the jejunal mucosa were analyzed by ELISA kits. The IFN-γ/IL-4 ratio of the jejunal mucosa (B) was calculated by dividing the level of IFN-γ by the level of IL-4. The IL-17/IL-10 ratio of the jejunal mucosa (B) was calculated by dividing the level of IL-17 by the level of IL-10. The levels of sIgA and IgG (C) in the jejunal mucosa were analyzed by ELISA kits. All the data are presented as the mean, with the standard deviation (SD) shown with whiskers. The main effect and interaction effects were analyzed using the general linear model (GLM) procedure, with the P values for the main effects written out below each plot. One-way ANOVA and multiple comparisons were performed when interactive effects were significantly different. The lowercase letters on the bar charts indicate significant differences (P < 0.05). NC: negative control group; MCE: 350 mg/kg MCE without NE group; PC: positive control group; NEMCE: 350 mg/kg MCE with NE group