Table 1.

Factors that influence effectiveness of dextran sodium sulfate to induce colitis

Factors	Variables	Description
DSS	Molecular weight	40-50 kDa for tissue penetration (larger molecule does not penetrate colonic tissue well and smaller molecule has poor distribution)
	Dosage concentration	Ranges from 1.5%-3% used most frequently (1% with mild symptoms and delayed onset)
	Duration of therapy	Acute: 5-10 d administration
	Manufacturer/batch	Chronic: 4-5 repeating cycles of DSS and sterile water
		Various manufacturers with differing potency
Host	Genetically susceptible strain of animal	Certain strains are more susceptible to DSS colitis than other strains.
		Susceptible strains: C3H/HeJ, C57BL/6, BALB/C
Environment	Housing Conditions	Group vs individual unit, frequency of cage changes alters coprophagy by host
	Microbial State	Germ-free vs specific pathogen free vs wild type

DSS: Dextran sodium sulfate.