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Updated: Jul 10, 2026
Murine Colitis Modeling using Dextran Sulfate Sodium (DSS)
Published on: January 19, 2010
Oral administration of taurolidine ameliorates chronic DSS colitis in mice
Ansgar Michael Chromik1, Annette M Müller, Martin Albrecht
1Department of General and Visceral Surgery, St Josef Hospital, Ruhr-University of Bochum, Bochum, Germany. a.chromik@klinikum-bochum.de
Abstract:
Taurolidine (TRD) has antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties. However, the anti-inflammatory effects of TRD in inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD) have not been investigated. Here, we have analyzed the toxicity of TRD after oral long-term application in mice and examined the impact of oral TRD in a dextran sulfate sodium (DSS) model of experimental colitis. Female C57/BL6 mice received TRD in various concentrations (0.1% to 0.4%) for 60 days. Toxicity was evaluated by use of a disease activity index (DAI) and histological examination of major metabolic organs. Furthermore, the impact of 0.2% TRD on a chronic DSS colitis was examined by daily DAI, histological crypt damage score (CDS), bacterial translocation into mesenteric lymph nodes (MLN), and colonic expression of tumor necrosis factor (TNF) alpha, transforming growth factor (TGF) beta, interleukin (IL)-1beta, IL-6, cytochrome oxidase (COX)-2, and monocyte chemotactic protein (MCP)-1 by real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Oral TRD administration for 60 days was well tolerated by the animals and did not show any toxic effects in terms of DAI and histological changes. TRD treatment of DSS colitis led to increased survival of 100%, compared to 33% in the untreated colitis group (p < or = .005). Clinical amelioration was mirrored by significantly reduced DAI and CDS in the TRD treated colitis. Colonic cytokine expression and bacterial translocation into MLN showed no differences between both groups. We thus report for the first time that oral application of TRD results in amelioration of an experimental IBD model. We hypothesize direct intraluminal antimicrobial effects of TRD as well as anti-inflammatory effects during the acute phase of DSS colitis.
Insights
Taurolidine (TRD) demonstrates safety and efficacy in an experimental inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) model. Oral TRD significantly improved survival and reduced disease activity in mice with colitis.
Area of Science:
- Pharmacology
- Gastroenterology
- Immunology
Background:
- Taurolidine (TRD) possesses known antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties.
- The efficacy of TRD in inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD) remains unexplored.
- Investigating TRD's therapeutic potential in IBD is warranted.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess the toxicity of orally administered TRD in a long-term mouse study.
- To evaluate the therapeutic impact of oral TRD in a dextran sulfate sodium (DSS)-induced experimental colitis model.
- To elucidate the mechanisms underlying TRD's effects in colitis.
Main Methods:
- Mice received oral TRD (0.1%-0.4%) for 60 days to evaluate toxicity via disease activity index (DAI) and histology.
- A chronic DSS colitis model was treated with 0.2% oral TRD.
- Assessed DAI, crypt damage score (CDS), bacterial translocation to mesenteric lymph nodes (MLN), and colonic gene expression (TNF-α, TGF-β, IL-1β, IL-6, COX-2, MCP-1) via real-time PCR.
Main Results:
- Oral TRD administration was well-tolerated, showing no toxic effects in mice over 60 days.
- TRD treatment in DSS colitis resulted in 100% survival, compared to 33% in untreated controls (p ≤ .005).
- TRD-treated mice exhibited significantly reduced DAI and CDS, indicating clinical improvement.
Conclusions:
- Oral taurolidine ameliorates experimental inflammatory bowel disease, specifically in a DSS-induced colitis model.
- TRD's therapeutic effects are likely mediated by direct intraluminal antimicrobial actions and acute-phase anti-inflammatory responses.
- This study establishes a foundation for exploring TRD as a potential therapeutic agent for IBD.
