title: In-vivo monitoring of acute DSS-Colitis using Colonoscopy, high resolution Ultrasound and bench-top Magnetic Resonance Imaging in Mice.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The aim of this study was to establish and evaluate (colour Doppler-) high-resolution-ultrasound (hrUS) and bench-top magnetic resonance imaging (btMRI) as new methods to monitor experimental colitis.
  
  
  METHODS
  hrUS, btMRI and endoscopy were performed in mice without colitis (n = 15), in mice with acute colitis (n = 14) and in mice with acute colitis and simultaneous treatment with infliximab (n = 19).
  
  
  RESULTS
  Determination of colon wall thickness using hrUS (32 MHz) and measurement of the cross-sectional colonic areas by btMRI allowed discrimination between the treatment groups (mean a vs. b vs. c - btMRI: 922 vs. 2051 vs. 1472 pixel, hrUS: 0.26 vs. 0.45 vs. 0.31 mm). btMRI, endoscopy, hrUS and colour Doppler-hrUS correlated to histological scoring (p < 0.05), while endoscopy and btMRI correlated to post-mortem colon length (p < 0.05).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The innovative in vivo techniques btMRI and hrUS are safe and technically feasible. They differentiate between distinct grades of colitis in an experimental setting, and correlate with established post-mortem parameters. In addition to endoscopic procedures, these techniques provide information regarding colon wall thickness and perfusion. Depending on the availability of these techniques, their application increases the value of in vivo monitoring in experimental acute colitis in small rodents.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  • Improved in vivo monitoring might balance interindividual differences in murine colitis. • In monitoring murine colitis, btMRI and hrUS are safe and technically feasible. • Very short examination times underline the usefulness especially of hrUS. • Results of btMRI and hrUS correlate with endoscopic and post-mortem findings.
authors.affiliation: Department of Internal Medicine I, Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg, Ernst-Grube-Strasse 40, 06120, Halle, Germany, jens.walldorf@medizin.uni-halle.de.
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Walldorf
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Hermann
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Porzner
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Pohl
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Metz
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Mäder
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Zipprich
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Christ
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Seufferlein
mesh_terms: D000208:Acute Disease; D000818:Animals; D003092:Colitis / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000175:diagnosis*; D003106:Colon / Q000098:blood supply; D003113:Colonoscopy / Q000379:methods; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D016264:Dextran Sulfate / Q000633:toxicity; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D005240:Feasibility Studies; D005765:Gastrointestinal Agents / Q000494:pharmacology; D000069285:Infliximab / Q000494:pharmacology; D007509:Irritants / Q000633:toxicity; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging / Q000379:methods; D008297:Male; D008807:Mice, Inbred BALB C; D064847:Multimodal Imaging / Q000379:methods; D018615:Ultrasonography, Doppler, Color
chemical_list: D005765:Gastrointestinal Agents; D007509:Irritants; D016264:Dextran Sulfate; D000069285:Infliximab