At d3 and d5, there were significant differences in the plasma TNF-α concentrations among the three groups (F = 4.44, P = 0.025; F = 20.02, P < 0.001) that were significantly higher in the colitis and pair-fed groups than in the control group (P < 0.05) at d3 (Fig. 2). The gene discussed is TNF; the disease is colitis.