<i>Capn8</i> or <i>Capn9</i> deficiency increased the susceptibility to ethanol-induced gastric lesions.

(A,B) The gastric mucosa of Capn8−/−, Capn9−/−, and WT mice was sectioned and analyzed by hematoxylin-eosin (H-E) staining (A), and periodic acid-Schiff (PAS) staining (B). Bars, 100 µm. (C) Susceptibility of WT mice to ethanol-induced gastric lesions. The indicated concentrations of ethanol were orally administered to WT mice, and the lesion index was determined (see Materials and Methods). Values are the means ± standard error (SEM). (n = 5). (D) (left) WT, Capn8−/−, and Capn9−/− mice were orally given 0% (white bars) or 40% (black bars) ethanol, and the lesion indexes were determined (see Materials and Methods). Values are means ± SEM. *, P<0.01 vs. WT; **, P<0.05 vs. WT; Not significant vs. Capn8−/− mice (***), and vs. WT (****). (right) Representative macroscopic views of the gastric mucosa of each mouse 4 hours after 40% ethanol administration are shown. Bars, 5 mm. (E) The gastric mucosa of Capn8−/−, Capn9−/−, and WT mice was sectioned and analyzed by immunostaining using antibodies for calpain 8 (red) and calpain 9 (green). Bars, 100 µm.