Investigating the Relation between the Gut Microbiota and Inflammatory Bowel Disease in a Mouse Model

Introduction: Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is a group of chronic gastrointestinal disorders affecting millions worldwide. Several factors are involved in developing this disease, but gut microbiota is known to be one of the most critical factors. This study investigated the relationship between gut microbiota and IBD in a mouse model. Methods: In this study, two methods were used: chemical induction with dextran sulfate sodium (DSS) and biological induction with stool from a human with IBD (fecal microbiota transplantation) to induce inflammation in the gut of mice. The gut microbiota populations in both groups were studied using real-time PCR. In addition, the serum levels of inflammatory cytokines and the colon tissues of the mice were analyzed