Animal Models of Gastrointestinal Diseases

A special issue of Biology (ISSN 2079-7737). This special issue belongs to the section "Physiology".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 31 March 2026 | Viewed by 803

Special Issue Editor


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Guest Editor
Department of Biology, Worcester State University, Worcester, MA 01602, USA
Interests: gastrointestinal roundworms; intestinal infections; drug exploration and advancement; animal models; worm infections; autoimmune diseases

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

This Special Issue delves into the critical role of animal models in understanding and advancing research on gastrointestinal diseases. Gastrointestinal disorders encompass a wide array of conditions that affect the digestive system, from inflammatory bowel diseases to colorectal cancer. Animal models play a pivotal role in unraveling disease mechanisms, testing therapeutic interventions, and offering insights into human gastrointestinal health. This Special Issue explores the diverse animal models employed, their contributions to understanding disease pathology, and the translation of findings to applications. It covers the latest research methodologies, emerging trends, and the significance of animal models in advancing treatments and diagnostics for gastrointestinal disorders.

Dr. Yan Hu
Guest Editor

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Keywords

  • gastrointestinal diseases
  • animal models
  • digestive system
  • inflammatory bowel diseases
  • colorectal cancer
  • disease pathology
  • research methodologies
  • therapeutic interventions
  • clinical applications
  • translational research

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Published Papers (1 paper)

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Research

13 pages, 10386 KiB  
Article
Vitamin D Modified DSS-Induced Colitis in Mice via STING Signaling Pathway
by Zhihao Wu, Baohua Ma, Min Xiao, Qian Ren, Yanhua Shen and Zhengyu Zhou
Biology 2025, 14(6), 715; https://doi.org/10.3390/biology14060715 - 18 Jun 2025
Viewed by 288
Abstract
Although the underlying mechanisms are not yet fully understood, vitamin D has been proven to be associated with the pathogenesis of inflammatory bowel disease, participating in immune response and regulating gut microbiota composition. In this study, we established a dextran sodium sulfate-induced colitis [...] Read more.
Although the underlying mechanisms are not yet fully understood, vitamin D has been proven to be associated with the pathogenesis of inflammatory bowel disease, participating in immune response and regulating gut microbiota composition. In this study, we established a dextran sodium sulfate-induced colitis model and intervened with vitamin D. Subsequently, colonic histopathology, serum biochemistry, transcription of inflammatory cytokines, gut microbiota, and key signaling pathways were examined. Our research demonstrated that intervention with vitamin D reduced the disease activity index of DSS-induced colitis and improved histopathological changes, protecting tight junction protein ZO-1 and intestinal glands from damage induced by DSS. Analysis of gut microbiota revealed alterations in both α diversity and β diversity in DSS-induced colitis, whereas interventions with active vitamin D corrected the changes in certain bacterial abundance and improved the composition of gut microbiota. The transcription levels of inflammatory cytokines, including IL-23, IL-1β, IFN-γ, IL-6, IL-17, and STING, were elevated in the DSS-induced colitis model. However, intervention with active vitamin D effectively suppressed the transcription of these factors. Finally, immunohistochemistry and Western blotting revealed that the intervention with vitamin D suppressed the expression of proteins associated with the STING pathway, including GATA1, STING, IRF3, and IKBα, leading to inhibition of downstream IFN-β production. Vitamin D administration can ameliorate the severity of DSS-induced colitis by preserving intestinal barrier integrity, modulating gut microbiota composition through suppression of the STING pathway. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Animal Models of Gastrointestinal Diseases)
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