Ulcerative Colitis, an intestinal bowel disorder, is affected by a host of external factors that impact the delicate immune system and gut microflora balances. Dietary components have been shown to both alleviate and exacerbate disease symptoms throughout the course of colitis pathogenesis. This study analyzes the role of two dietary components (lactose and fiber) in colitis progression using the dextran sulfate sodium (DSS) mouse model. A variety of diets and mouse subtypes were utilized in order to objectively identify the impacts of lactose and fiber. By obtaining colon/cecum lengths, analyzing their fecal DNA using denatured gradient gel electrophoresis (DGGE), and determining blood scores; the relative impacts of the nutrients on both the gut microflora composition and the mouse colitis symptoms were determined. Lactose had an overall detrimental effect on the colitis-induced mice as determined by their significantly reduced colon length and body weights whereas fiber produced mixed results. By examining the interplay between the gut microflora and immune system using these dietary factors, the role of our external surroundings in autoimmune proliferation begins to be revealed.
