Colonoscopy in IBD Animal Models

Colonoscopy is the gold standard for screening, evaluating and potentially treating inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Endoscopy allows the observation of abnormal mucosa, inflammation, strictures and ulcers in IBD patients. High-resolution endoscopy can now be performed using colonoscopes designed specifically for work with rat and mouse models of colon disease. This is a safe, relatively quick procedure that allows researchers to study the natural history of colon disease, visually assess response to therapeutics or interventions, and obtain tissue from live animals. Researchers using colonoscopy in animal models have identified thickened intestinal walls and the presence of fibrin, bleeding or redness of the intestinal wall.

Fig. 1. C57BL/6 mice were subjected to the TNBS or oxazolone colitis protocol. (Wirtz et al., 2007)

Our Colonoscopy Service

At Ace Therapeutics, we offer specialized colonoscopy services for pharmaceutical or biotech companies dedicated to IBD research. Our team of experienced experts can perform colonoscopy on various species including mice and rats. Using state-of-the-art equipment and techniques, we visualize the inside of the colon, perform biopsies for further analysis, and monitor disease progression over time.

The Colonoscopy Procedure in IBD Animal Models

The colonoscope is carefully introduced into the anus and advanced about 4 cm, or until the first area of curvature of the colon (corresponding to the splenic flexure) while observing progress on the monitor. We typically record video and obtain still images as the colonoscope is slowly withdrawn. The entire procedure takes approximately 5 minutes or less. The mouse is then allowed to awake from anesthesia.

What We Help Clients Do

• Allowing visual grading of colitis and repeat assessment over time.
• Both video and still images can be obtained and stored for analysis.
• Stain the colonic epithelium with a 1% methylene blue solution and examine it with colonoscopy to better visualize crypt patterns and detect abnormal crypt foci.
• Colonic tumors that are at or distal to the splenic flexure (approximately the distal 3-4 cm of colon) can be followed serially by colonoscopy.
• Combing colonoscopy with staining techniques or fluorescent probes while collecting data on various cellular, molecular, or tissue processes.

Advantages of Colonoscopy in IBD Animal Models

• Monitoring changes in colonic pathology over time.
• Small sessile lesions that are missed on other in vivo imaging modalities can be easily identified on colonoscopy.
• Tissue can be obtained by biopsy at multiple time points for histology as well as for molecular analysis.
• With colonoscopy, colitis can be studied at multiple time points in the same mouse, allowing the mouse to serve as its own control, thereby eliminating variation owing to genetic and environmental effects.
• Studying the same mouse greatly reduces the number of mice needed in order to design an adequately powered study.

Ace Therapeutics' colonoscopy services can help clients better study IBD pathology in animals and evaluate new therapeutics. If you are interested in utilizing our colonoscopy services for your IBD research project, please contact us for more information.