title: Evaluation of Quantitative Imaging Biomarkers in the DSS Colitis Model.
abstract: In humans, colonoscopy is the gold standard for the diagnosis of inflammatory changes of the colon wall. Aim of this study was the identification of less invasive imaging biomarkers in the dextran sodium sulfate (DSS) colitis model to provide additional information on transmural changes of the colon wall.
  
  
  
  Colitis was induced in C57BL/6 mice by administration of 2, 3, and 4 % DSS over a period of 5 days. Colon wall thickness was measured using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), ultrasound (US), and x-ray computed tomography (CT), gut inflammation by positron emission tomography/CT, and mucosal changes of the colon wall by colonoscopy. Colon samples were examined histologically.
  
  
  
  MRI, CT, US, and histological data revealed increased colon wall thickness in DSS-treated mice compared to healthy controls. Elevated 2-deoxy-2[(18)F]fluoro-D-glucose uptake and colonoscopy confirmed high inflammatory load in the guts of colitis mice.
  
  
  
  The established quantitative imaging readouts offer promising perspectives to develop new compounds and to translate these methods into the clinical setting.
authors.affiliation: Div. Research Germany-Target Discovery Research, In-Vivo Imaging Laboratory, Boehringer Ingelheim Pharma GmbH & Co. KG, Birkendorfer Straße 65, 88397, Biberach an der Riß, Germany.
authors.forename: Anne
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Beltzer
authors.affiliation: Div. Research Germany-Target Discovery Research, In-Vivo Imaging Laboratory, Boehringer Ingelheim Pharma GmbH & Co. KG, Birkendorfer Straße 65, 88397, Biberach an der Riß, Germany.
authors.forename: Thomas
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Kaulisch
authors.affiliation: Div. Research Germany-Target Discovery Research, In-Vivo Imaging Laboratory, Boehringer Ingelheim Pharma GmbH & Co. KG, Birkendorfer Straße 65, 88397, Biberach an der Riß, Germany.
authors.forename: Teresa
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Bluhmki
authors.affiliation: Target Discovery Research, Target Validation Technologies, Boehringer Ingelheim Pharma GmbH & Co. KG, Biberach an der Riss, Germany.
authors.forename: Tanja
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Schoenberger
authors.affiliation: Target Discovery Research, Target Validation Technologies, Boehringer Ingelheim Pharma GmbH & Co. KG, Biberach an der Riss, Germany.
authors.forename: Birgit
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Stierstorfer
authors.affiliation: Div. Research Germany-Target Discovery Research, In-Vivo Imaging Laboratory, Boehringer Ingelheim Pharma GmbH & Co. KG, Birkendorfer Straße 65, 88397, Biberach an der Riß, Germany. detlef.stiller@boehringer-ingelheim.com.
authors.forename: Detlef
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Stiller
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000378:metabolism*; D003092:Colitis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000473:pathology; D003106:Colon / Q000473:pathology; D016264:Dextran Sulfate; D003952:Diagnostic Imaging / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D007249:Inflammation / Q000473:pathology; D008810:Mice, Inbred C57BL
chemical_list: D015415:Biomarkers; D016264:Dextran Sulfate
keywords: Colitis; DSS; Inflammatory bowel disease; Mouse model; Multimodal imaging