Application of dextran sodium sulfate (DSS) is often used to induce experimental colitis. Current state of the art is to refrain from the use of analgesics due to their possible interaction with the model. However, the use of analgesics would be beneficial to reduce the overall constraint imposed on the animals. Here, we analyzed the effect of the analgesics Dafalgan (paracetamol), Tramal (tramadol) and Novalgin (metamizole) on DSS-induced colitis. To study the effect of those analgesics in colitis mouse models, acute and chronic colitis was induced in female C57BL6 mice by DSS administration in the drinking water. Analgesics were added to the drinking water on days four to seven (acute colitis) or on days six to nine of each DSS cycle (chronic colitis). Tramadol and paracetamol had minor effects on colitis severity. Tramadol reduced water uptake and activity levels slightly, while mice receiving paracetamol presented with a better overall appearance. Metamizole, however, significantly reduced water uptake, resulting in pronounced weight loss. In conclusion, our experiments show that tramadol and paracetamol are viable options for the use in DSS-induced colitis models. However, paracetamol seems to be slightly more favorable since it promoted the overall wellbeing of the animals upon DSS administration without interfering with typical readouts of colitis severity.
Keywords: Pain; dextran sodium sulfate (DSS); drinking behavior; pain reduction; refinement.