Animal Models and Pathogenesis of Ulcerative Colitis

Area of Science:

• Gastroenterology
• Immunology
• Pharmacology

Background:

• Ulcerative colitis (UC) is a significant inflammatory bowel disease requiring effective prediction models.
• Understanding UC pathogenesis is crucial for developing targeted therapies.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review and analyze diverse animal models for ulcerative colitis (UC).
• To summarize animal selection criteria, model development, and pathogenic mechanisms in UC models.

Main Methods:

• A comprehensive literature review of research papers published in major scientific databases over the last five years.
• Analysis focused on experimental animals, modeling techniques, and underlying UC pathogenesis.

Main Results:

• Rats are identified as the preferred experimental animals for UC modeling.
• The compound method is the most successful modeling technique, surpassing chemical and immune stimulation methods.
• Key pathogenic factors in UC include nitric oxide (NO), prostaglandins (PG), proinflammatory cytokines (IL, TNF-α), and alterations in intestinal flora.

Conclusions:

• Established methods for creating UC animal models facilitate targeted selection for future research.
• This review provides a foundation for selecting appropriate animal models to study UC pathogenesis and test interventions.