Figure 1.

Experimental timeline (DAI, RGS, burrowing, and CBS). Each filled box indicates a habituation or assessment activity for each assessment method. Unfilled boxes indicate when no assessments were performed. During the acute phase, group 1 and group 2 rats were treated with 5% DSS administered in water. Group 1 rats were euthanized at the end of the acute colitis phase. During the water phase (group 2 and controls), no assessments were made. During the chronic phase, group 2 rats were treated with 5% DSS for a second time before euthanasia on day 3. Tissue was harvested for microscopic and macroscopic analysis immediately after euthanasia. BL, baseline; DSS, dextran sulfate sodium.