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Updated: Sep 29, 2026
In vitro Functional Characterization of Mouse Colorectal Afferent Endings
Published on: January 21, 2015
Effect of transient chemically induced colitis on the visceromotor response to mechanical colorectal distension
Jürgen M Gschossmann1, Birgit Adam, Tobias Liebregts
1Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, University of Essen, Hufelandstrasse 55, 45122 Essen, Germany.
Background:
Acute mucosal inflammation may initiate alterations of visceral sensory function. However, experimental studies on the potential effects of a transient inflammation on visceral sensitivity are lacking.
Methods:
We performed colorectal distensions with a barostat device in fasted, conscious, male Lewis rats (n = 20) and assessed the nociceptive response (visceromotor response; VMR) to tonic colorectal distension (CRD) (60 mmHg/3 min) by abdominal-wall electromyography. Measurements were taken before and 3, 5 and 14 days after induction of a transient and self-limiting colitis by instillation of trinitrobenzenesulphonic acid (TNB)/ethanol (or saline as control). Tissue samples from paired controls were obtained to assess histological tissue alterations.
Results:
TNB/ethanol but not saline induced an acute colitis, with most severe histological lesions occurring 5 days after instillation. After 14 days, there was no histological evidence for persisting mucosal alterations. Five days after induction of TNB/ethanol colitis, the VMR to CRD reached a transient increase (P < 0.05 v. baseline), which returned to baseline levels by day 14. In control experiments (rectal saline instillation), the VMR to CRD decreased significantly compared with baseline values (P < 0.05).
Conclusion:
Following an acute colitis due to single colorectal instillation of TNB/ethanol, histological changes are associated with an enhanced nociceptive response to CRD.
