Ulcerative Colitis

Ulcerative colitis (UC) is a disease of increased worldwide prevalence. UC progression is associated with serious complications that leave the patient with considerable health burdens. Ulcerative colitis (UC) is an immune-mediated disorder that is characterized by inflammation, injury, and disruption of mucosal and submucosal surfaces of the large intestine. UC mainly affects the rectum; however, it may extend continuously or circumferentially to other proximal parts of the large intestine. Although it is rarely fatal, UC may progress into toxic colonic dilatation, intestinal hemorrhage and colorectal cancer. The incidence of inflammatory bowel diseases, including UC, is drastically increasing and is associated with patient morbidity and economic burden. Typical symptoms of UC include abdominal discomfort and pain, frequent bowel movement, bloody diarrhea, fatigue, fever and weight loss. 

Signaling Pathway:

Several abnormal signaling pathways play an important role in the inflammatory process of ulcerative colitis and can lead to dysregulations of the inflammatory response and are crucial in the pathogenesis of Ulcerative colitis. The major signaling pathways involved in the inflammatory process and pathogenesis of ulcerative colitis includes P38-MAPK, JNK-MAPK, PI3K/Akt, and NF-kB signaling pathways. 

Induction of Ulcerative Colitis:

Intracolonic infusion of 2 ml acetic acid (3 %v/v).