Dextran Sulfate Sodium (DSS)‐induced Colitis Model

Ulcerative colitis (UC), one of the chronic remittent or progressive inflammatory condition that commonly occurred in the sigmoid colon, may affect the gastrointestinal tract and colonic mucosa, and are associated with an increased risk for colon cancer. Europe and North America had the highest prevalence rate with 6~20.3 per ten thousand people, whereas the prevalence of UC in Taiwan has steadily increased more than 5 year compared to year 2000 with year 2010. UC is believed to be correlated with inflammatory, oxidative stress, and auto-immune disease. A number of murine models of colitis have been developed. These models are indispensable tools to decipher underlying mechanisms of IBD pathogenesis as well as to evaluate a number of potential therapeutics. Among various chemically induced colitis models, the dextran sulfate sodium (DSS)‐induced colitis model is widely used because of its simplicity and many similarities with human ulcerative colitis. This model has both advantages and disadvantages that must be considered when employed. This protocol describes the DSS‐induced colitis model, focusing on details and factors that could affect DSS‐induced pathology.