In the ileum, how did ASBT mRNA expression in CIE dogs compare to controls?

• A. Higher expression in CIE (significant)
• B. Lower expression in CIE, not significant
• C. No difference between groups
• D. Higher expression in controls

Answer: (B)

ASBT mRNA expression in the ileum reflects how inflammation can alter bile acid transport in disease. In this scenario, dogs with CIE showed a lower level of ASBT mRNA than healthy controls, but the difference did not reach statistical significance. That means the observed decrease is a trend, not a confidently confirmed difference in the population. The non-significant result could arise from small sample size or variability between individuals or assays, so we can’t rule out no real difference. Mechanistically, inflammation can downregulate transporters, but the available data don’t provide strong evidence for a robust change in ASBT expression. In short, there’s a tendency toward lower ileal ASBT mRNA in CIE dogs, but it isn’t statistically significant.