Moreover, in mice treated with AOM/DSS in conjunction with the HCD, we also observed a clear decrease in colon length compared to mice fed ND (Figure 1G,H) and an increase in Cox-2 and IκBα mRNA levels (that indicates activation of the NF-κB pathway) (Figure 1F) thus reflecting a higher level of inflammation in these mice. Here, NFKB1 is linked to infectious otitis media.