LGR5 and colitis: However, unlike in females, during colitis, PSTi8 treatment may provide a protective effect on the colonic mucosa against DSS-mediated colitis in male mice as PST inhibition either preserved or promoted the proliferative and differentiation capacity of the colonic epithelium by increasing the number of goblet cells and preserving LGR5+ Stem cells and enteroendocrine cells, all of which were overall associated with delay disease onset.