Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD)

Preclinical animal models of IBD plays an important role in the understanding of the pathogenesis of the disease. IBD is a chronic inflammatory disease of unknown etiology with two major categories: Ulcerative Colitis (UC) and Crohn’s Disease (CD). The main features of IBD include diarrhea, associated with blood, mucus, and pus in the stool. UC characterized by inflammation of the colon mucosa, depletion of the mucus-forming goblet cells, irregularity of the crypts, and crypt abscesses, in addition, neutrophils surrounding the local blood vessels, the lamina propria shows plasma cell infiltration and lymphoid aggregates. Whereas, in Crohn’s disease inflammatory lesions particularly found in the ileum and colon. These lesions transmural with extensive granuloma formations.

Invitek offers preclinical animal models of colitis; DSS, TNBS, and oxazolone in mice and rats for the screening, testing, and evaluation of new drugs and formulations.

DSS (Dextran Sodium Sulfate) induced colitis

Dextran sulfate sodium (DSS)-induced colitis model is widely used because of its simplicity and many similarities with human ulcerative colitis (UC). Acute and chronic models of intestinal inflammation achieved by modifying the concentration of DSS and the frequency of administration.

Acute model: Acute colitis model induced by providing a single cycle of DSS in drinking water for five to seven days, followed by plain drinking water for another five to seven days.

Chronic model: Chronic colitis model induced by providing three cycles of DSS in drinking water for five days, with intervals of five to seven days of plain drinking water. In general body weight, DAI and severity scoring is performed.

Oxazolone induced colitis

Oxazolone-induced colitis in mice and or rats constitutes a satisfactory animal model of UC, with a high degree of similarity to the histopathological characteristics and distribution of inflammation. First, animals pre-sensitized with oxazolone solution in ethanol for five days, and then intrarectal administration of oxazolone performed under light anesthesia.

TNBS induced colitis

TNBS induced colitis is a commonly used animal model that shares many properties with human Crohn’s disease (CD). The model is highly reproducible and technically simple, therefore, used to screen potential therapeutic agents. Colitis induced by the intrarectal administration under light anesthesia.

Acetic-Acid induced colitis

Colitis  induced by intrarectal administration of 3.5-4% Acetic Acid in water under light anesthesia.