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DNBS/TNBS Colitis Models: Providing Insights Into Inflammatory Bowel Disease and Effects of Dietary Fat
Published on: February 27, 2014
Experimental colitis increases blood-brain barrier permeability in rabbits
C A Hathaway1, C B Appleyard, W H Percy
1Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, School of Medicine, The University of South Dakota, Vermillion, South Dakota 57069, USA.
The American Journal of Physiology
|May 18, 1999
Summary
Acute colitis increases blood-brain barrier permeability to small molecules in rabbits, regardless of the induction method. Cerebral blood flow remained unchanged, suggesting a specific effect on barrier integrity during inflammatory bowel disease.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Gastroenterology
- Pharmacology
Background:
- Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is associated with numerous extraintestinal manifestations.
- The impact of acute colitis on the central nervous system, specifically cerebral blood flow and blood-brain barrier (BBB) integrity, is not fully understood.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the effects of two acute colitis models on cerebral blood flow (CBF) and BBB permeability in rabbits.
- To determine if colitis influences the passage of small and large molecules across the BBB.
Main Methods:
- Acute colitis was induced in rabbits using acetic acid (HAc) or trinitrobenzene sulfonic acid (TNBS).
- Cerebral blood flow was measured using radiolabeled microspheres.
- Blood-brain barrier permeability was assessed by measuring the permeability-surface area (PS) product for fluorescein and FITC-dextran, and fluorescein extraction ratio.
Main Results:
- The PS product for fluorescein significantly increased in both TNBS and HAc colitis models compared to controls.
- The PS product for the larger molecule FITC-dextran did not differ significantly between colitis and control groups.
- Fluorescein extraction from blood to brain increased by 75% in TNBS colitis.
- Cerebral blood flow and cerebrovascular resistance remained unchanged in TNBS colitis.
Conclusions:
- Acute colitis, induced by either HAc or TNBS, increases blood-brain barrier permeability to small molecules like fluorescein.
- This increased permeability occurs without significant alterations in cerebral blood flow or cerebrovascular resistance.
- These findings suggest a specific disruption of BBB integrity in acute colitis models.
