In contrast, when compared to control mice receiving PBS, mice receiving heme intraperitoneally had a milder DSS-induced colitis as indicated by higher body weights (Figure 3A), as well as lower Lcn2 mRNA levels (Figure 3D) and reduced Enterobacteriaceae levels (Figure 3F), with the inflammation (Figure 3B) and tissue damage (Figure 3C) scores remaining unaffected. This evidence concerns the gene LCN2 and colitis.