A NEW MODEL FOR INFLAMMATORY BOWEL DISEASE IN RATS

Abstract

Here we report the Lipopolysaccharide (LPS) induced rat model of Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD). Toll Like Receptor-4 (TLR-4) are reported to be upregulated in IBD and LPS is recognized by TLRs of the innate immune system. Hence the effect of LPS was investigated for induction of IBD in rats. In the present study, Colitis in male albino wistar rats was developed with different doses of LPS obtained from E.Coli (50, 100, 200 µg/rat, intrarectally) administered on 1^st and 5^th day. The inflammation produced was evaluated on 7^th, 12^th and 15^th day by comparing with normal as well as 2, 4 dinitrobenzene sulphonic acid (DNBS; 120 mg/kg, intrarectally single dose) treated rats. At the end of experiment, colonic mucosal damage index (CMDI), tissue levels of malondialdehyde (MDA), nitric oxide (NO) and reduced glutathione (GSH) were measured. Colon tissue levels of MDA and NO were higher and GSH levels were lower at all doses of LPS compared to normal rat. There was also decrease in water intake, food intake, % body weight & increase in colon weight, CMDI in LPS induced rats as compared to normal. However, 100 µg/rat dose seemed to be optimum for producing colon inflammation and the symptoms were most prominent on 12^th day of first dosing of LPS. These effects were similar to DNBS treatment, but were less prominent. Therefore, the results of our study suggest that Lipopolysaccharide can produce symptoms like inflammatory bowel disease when applied locally.