Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 9, 2026

A TNBS-Induced Rodent Model to Study the Pathogenic Role of Mechanical Stress in Crohn's Disease
Published on: March 1, 2022
Selective COX-2 inhibition reduces leukocyte sticking and improves the microcirculation in TNBS colitis
Martin Kruschewski1, Tanja Anderson, Heinz J Buhr
1Department of Surgery, Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Campus Benjamin Franklin, Hindenburgdamm 30, 12200 Berlin, Germany. martin.kruschewski@charite.de
Abstract:
The role of cyclooxygenase-2 inhibitors in the course of experimental colitis is controversially discussed. The aim of this study was to evaluate leukocyte-endothelium interaction and colitis activity after applying the selective cyclooxygenase-2 inhibitor NS-398 in a rat trinitrobenzene sulfonic acid (TNBS) colitis model. The acute phase of TNBS colitis is characterized by a significant reduction of capillary blood flow, capillary density, diuresis, and weight and a significant increase in capillary permeability, leukocyte sticking, and hematocrit. Applying the selective cyclooxygenase-2 inhibitor NS-398 leads to a significant improvement of all microcirculatory parameters and clinical findings compared to the (untreated) colitis group. There are no histopathological differences between the individual colitis groups. Acute colitis is characterized by an extensive disturbance of microcirculation together with signs of systemic inflammatory response syndrome. These alterations are significantly improved by inhibiting cyclooxygenase-2. The results support the described correlation between cyclooxygenase activation and leukocyte-endothelium interaction. Moreover, they underscore the postulated relation between leukocyte-endothelium interaction and capillary blood flow.
Related Concept Videos
Inflammatory Bowel Disease II: Ulcerative Colitis
Drugs for Treatment of Crohn's Disease in IBD Using Biologic Agents: Anti-TNF
Drugs for Treatment of Ulcerative Colitis in IBD
Drugs for Treatment of Crohn's Disease in IBD Using Glucocorticoids
Selectins
Drugs for Treatment of Crohn's Disease in IBD Using Immunomodulatory Agents