MMP9 and colitis: As expected, the expression of colitis-related genes C3, Tyrobp, Mmp3, Mmp9, and Timp1 was significantly up-regulated in inflamed colon tissue compared with healthy controls; among them, Mmp3 and Timp1 were found to be the most susceptible to acute colitis induction, demonstrating 306.3- and 110.6-fold increases in the expression, respectively, in DSS-treated mice compared with healthy controls (Figure 3D).