Changes in serum inflammatory cytokine levels and intestinal flora in a self-healing dextran sodium sulfate-induced ulcerative colitis murine model

Whether dextran sodium sulfate (DSS)-induced ulcerative colitis (UC) animal models undergo self-healing remains unclear. Therefore, the study aim was to determine if these models have self-healing ability. UC was induced using 4% DSS in male KM mice. Histopathological and inflammatory cytokine were evaluated. Fecal samples were analyzed by 16S rDNA gene sequencing. Physiological and inflammatory cytokine changed obviously on days 4–14 of establishment and returned to normal levels by day 21. The degrees of inflammation and injury in pathological sections decreased within 14 days compared with those on day 7. Interleukin (IL)-17A, IL-6, and C-reactive protein (CRP) levels fluctuated daily and were highest at 10 AM, 11 AM, and 8 PM, respectively. Intestinal flora disturbance was most obvious on days 7 and 14. The abundances of Lactobacillus and Alistipes decreased, whereas those of Streptococcus, Escherichia–Shigella, and Oscillibacter increased and mostly recovered by day 21. Lactobacillus and serum CRP level were negatively correlated with inflammation, whereas Streptococcus and Escherichia–Shigella were positively correlated with serum IL-6 level. The DSS-induced UC murine model was shown to undergo self-healing. Intestinal flora disturbance in the model were obvious from days 4 to 14 and had mostly recovered by day 21.