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Short chain fatty acid-induced colitis in mice
1Department of Physiology & Pharmacology, University of Strathclyde, Glasgow, Scotland, U.K.
International Journal of Tissue Reactions
|January 1, 1989
Summary
Intra-rectal butyric acid instillation in mice induced colitis. This study shows butyric acid, a short-chain fatty acid, causes inflammation in the colon, mimicking human disease symptoms.
Area of Science:
- Gastroenterology
- Microbiology
- Immunology
Background:
- Short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) are bacterial metabolites in the colon.
- Acetic acid instillation in animals can induce colitis.
- The colitogenic potential of butyric acid is unexplored.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the effect of intra-rectal butyric acid in mice.
- To determine if butyric acid can induce colitis.
- To characterize the inflammatory response to butyric acid.
Main Methods:
- Male BKA mice received intra-rectal butyric acid or saline.
- Inflammatory responses were scored clinically, macroscopically, and histologically.
- Colitic edema was measured as tissue water percentage.
Main Results:
- Butyric acid induced a concentration-dependent colitis.
- Peak edema response occurred around 4 hours post-instillation.
- 3% butyric acid caused moderate colitis with specific inflammatory markers.
Conclusions:
- Intra-rectal butyric acid induces consistent and reproducible colitis in mice.
- The colitogenic effect is specific to butyric acid, not pH or the butyrate anion alone.
- Butyric acid is a potential factor in colonic inflammation.