title: Induction of colitis in young rats by dextran sulfate sodium.
abstract: Models using dextran sulfate sodium (DSS) to induce experimental colitis in rodents have been performed mostly in adult animals. For this reason, we aimed to develop a model of colitis in young rats. DSS was administered to 30-day-old rats at concentrations ranging from 0.5 to 5% in drinking water. Young rats were remarkably sensitive to DSS since clinical symptoms rapidly rose with 5% DSS and most animals died after the fifth day. With 1 and 2% DSS, the severity of mucosal lesions was also high on day 7, the animals showing leukocytosis and anemia. At 0.5% DSS, leukocytosis and mild colonic lesions were induced. This concentration of DSS significantly increased myeloperoxidase activity and goblet cell number in the colon, indicating mucosal inflammation. Since food consumption was not reduced by 0.5% DSS, we suggest that this protocol can be used to study the effects of dietary supplements on intestinal inflammatory processes.
authors.affiliation: Departament de Fisiologia, Facultat de Farmàcia, Universitat de Barcelona, Av. de Joan XXIII s/n, E-08028 Barcelona, Spain.
authors.forename: María
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Vicario
authors.forename: Mar
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Crespí
authors.forename: Angels
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Franch
authors.forename: Concepció
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Amat
authors.forename: Carme
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Pelegrí
authors.forename: Miquel
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Moretó
mesh_terms: D000208:Acute Disease; D000284:Administration, Oral; D000740:Anemia / Q000139:chemically induced; D000818:Animals; D000831:Animals, Newborn; D002452:Cell Count; D003092:Colitis / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000201:enzymology / Q000401:mortality / Q000473:pathology; D003106:Colon / Q000201:enzymology / Q000473:pathology; D016264:Dextran Sulfate / Q000008:administration & dosage; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D020397:Goblet Cells / Q000473:pathology; D007413:Intestinal Mucosa / Q000473:pathology; D007964:Leukocytosis / Q000139:chemically induced; D008297:Male; D009195:Peroxidase / Q000378:metabolism; D051381:Rats; D017207:Rats, Sprague-Dawley; D016019:Survival Analysis
chemical_list: D016264:Dextran Sulfate; D009195:Peroxidase