Efficacy of 2,4-Dinitrobenzenesulfonic Acid (DNBS) in the Maintenance of a Model of Inflammatory Bowel Disease in Pigs (Sus scrofa domestica)

Inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD), such as Crohn's disease (CD) and ulcerative colitis (UC), are chronic, progressive conditions with increasing prevalence worldwide. The aim of this study was to evaluate the usefulness of a porcine model of colitis induced by 2,4-dinitrobenzenesulfonic acid (DNBS) as a translational model of IBD. Sixteen Polish White pigs were divided into a control group and colitis group. Colitis was induced by rectal administration of DNBS (80 mg/kg in 50% ethanol). Clinical status, hematological and biochemical parameters, fecal calprotectin levels, cytokine plasma concentrations, and histopathological changes in the gastrointestinal tract were evaluated. DNBS administration resulted in persistent diarrhea and mild abdominal pain without general deterioration of health. Significant increases in fecal calprotectin levels and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) activity were observed. Histopathological changes in the colon were limited to the mucosa, which is similar to human UC, while the mild changes observed in the ileum indicate similarity to CD. This model is characterized by moderate inflammation, high reproducibility, and low mortality, making it valuable model in translational research on IBD.