Dynamic Changes in Gut Microbiome of Ulcerative Colitis: Initial Study from Animal Model.

Area of Science:

• Microbiology
• Immunology
• Gastroenterology

Background:

• Dextran sulfate sodium (DSS)-induced ulcerative colitis (UC) is a common animal model.
• Gut microbiome dysbiosis is implicated in DSS-induced UC pathogenesis.
• Dynamic changes and inflammatory factor correlations of gut microbiome in DSS-induced UC are not fully understood.

Purpose of the Study:

• To determine the optimal DSS concentration for inducing colitis in C57BL/6 mice.
• To analyze dynamic changes in gut microbiome composition during DSS-induced UC.
• To investigate the correlation between gut microbiome alterations and inflammatory factors in UC.

Main Methods:

• Induction of colitis in C57BL/6 mice using varying DSS concentrations.
• Assessment of clinical signs and tissue damage to determine optimal DSS concentration.
• Gut microbiome sequencing and inflammatory factor analysis to identify dynamic patterns and correlations.

Main Results:

• DSS concentrations of 2.5% and 3.0% induced intestinal injury and colitis, with 3.0% showing higher mortality.
• Dynamic shifts in gut microbiome were observed, with some bacteria increasing then decreasing, others decreasing then increasing, and some showing delayed significant changes.
• Pro-inflammatory and anti-inflammatory cytokines showed close correlations with pathogenic and beneficial bacteria, respectively.

Conclusions:

• Intestinal microecology is crucial in the DSS-induced UC model.
• The gut microbiome undergoes dynamic alterations throughout the occurrence and development of ulcerative colitis.