Related Experiment Video

Updated: Nov 17, 2025

Murine Colitis Modeling using Dextran Sulfate Sodium DSS
08:39

Murine Colitis Modeling using Dextran Sulfate Sodium DSS

Published on: January 19, 2010

50.5K

Melanosis Coli in Pigs Coincides With High Sulfate Content in Drinking Water

Irene M Rodríguez-Gómez1, Jaime Gómez-Laguna1, Inés Ruedas-Torres1

  • 1119957University of Córdoba, Córdoba, Spain.

Veterinary Pathology
|February 16, 2021
PubMed

Insights

Melanosis coli, a colonic pigmentation condition, was observed in pigs. High sulfate water supply is a potential cause, linked to increased cell apoptosis and lipofuscin-laden macrophages.

Area of Science:

  • Veterinary Pathology
  • Gastroenterology
  • Environmental Toxicology

Background:

  • Melanosis coli is a human condition involving colonic pigmentation due to lipofuscin-laden macrophages.
  • Increased colonic epithelial cell apoptosis is the suspected human pathogenesis.
  • Oxidative damage is a proposed cause for melanosis coli in pigs.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To report cases of melanosis coli in pigs in southern Spain.
  • To investigate the pathological characteristics of the condition.
  • To identify potential environmental contributing factors.

Main Methods:

  • Gross examination of large intestines for pigmentation.
  • Histological, histochemical, and ultrastructural studies of colonic tissue.
  • Detection of apoptosis marker cleaved caspase-3.

Main Results:

  • Dark green to brown pigmentation of the colonic mucosa was observed.
  • High numbers of lipofuscin-laden macrophages were confirmed in the lamina propria.
  • Macrophages stained positive for cleaved caspase-3, indicating apoptosis.

Conclusions:

  • The findings confirm melanosis coli in pigs, characterized by lipofuscin-laden macrophages and increased apoptosis.
  • Affected pigs were linked to water supplies with high sulfate content.
  • High sulfate water may be a contributing factor to melanosis coli development in pigs.
Keywords:
cleaved caspase-3lipofuscinmelanosis colipigsulfateswater

More Related Videos

Murine Distal Colostomy, A Novel Model of Diversion Colitis in C57BL/6 Mice08:20

Murine Distal Colostomy, A Novel Model of Diversion Colitis in C57BL/6 Mice

Published on: July 12, 2018

13.6K
Investigating Intestinal Inflammation in DSS-induced Model of IBD08:43

Investigating Intestinal Inflammation in DSS-induced Model of IBD

Published on: February 1, 2012

68.1K

Related Concept Videos

Diagnosing Acidosis and Alkalosis01:24

Diagnosing Acidosis and Alkalosis

Diagnosing acid-base imbalances involves systematically analyzing arterial blood samples, focusing on three key measurements: pH, bicarbonate (HCO3−) concentration, and carbon dioxide partial pressure (PCO2). This analysis follows a four-step process that helps identify the imbalance's underlying cause and nature.
First, the pH level is assessed to determine whether the blood pH is normal (7.35–7.45), low (acidosis), or high (alkalosis).
Next, the PCO2  and...
786
Pleiotropy01:33

Pleiotropy

Pleiotropy is the phenomenon in which a single gene impacts multiple, seemingly unrelated phenotypic traits. For example, defects in the SOX10 gene cause Waardenburg Syndrome Type 4, or WS4, which can cause defects in pigmentation, hearing impairments, and an absence of intestinal contractions necessary for elimination. This diversity of phenotypes results from the expression pattern of SOX10 in early embryonic and fetal development. SOX10 is found in neural crest cells that form melanocytes,...
42.1K
Tonicity in Animals00:59

Tonicity in Animals

The tonicity of a solution determines if a cell gains or loses water in that solution. The tonicity depends on the permeability of the cell membrane for different solutes and the concentration of nonpenetrating solutes in the solution within and outside of the cell. If a semipermeable membrane hinders the passage of some solutes but allows water to follow its concentration gradient, water moves from the side with low osmolarity (i.e., less solute) to the side with higher osmolarity (i.e.,...
122.0K
Tonicity in Animals01:16

Tonicity in Animals

Tonicity describes the amount of solute in a solution. The measure of the tonicity of a solution, or the total amount of solutes dissolved in a specific amount of solution, is called its osmolarity. Three terms—hypotonic, isotonic, and hypertonic—are used to relate the osmolarity of a cell to the osmolarity of the extracellular fluid that contains the cells. In a hypotonic solution, such as tap water, the extracellular fluid has a lower concentration of solutes than the fluid inside...
4.9K