Fig. 1.

Time–course of dextran sulphate sodium (DSS)-induced acute colitis. (a) Disease activity index (DAI) in C57BL/6 mice treated with 2% DSS for 5 days. DAI is determined by body weight loss, stool consistency and the crypt damage index, as described in Materials and methods. Each value represents the mean ± standard deviation (s.d.) (n = 4 mice). **P < 0·01 (day 0 versus days 5, 7, 12 or 23 mice). (b) Colon length was determined on days 0, 5 and 10. Each value represents the mean ± s.d. (n = 4 mice). **P < 0·01 (normal versus DSS-treated mice). (c) Macroscopic examination of the spleen. Normal indicates untreated control. D11 indicates day 11 after DSS treatment.