Chemically-induced models of intestinal
inflammation are a useful tool for the study of immune responses and
inflammation. Although well established in mammals, application of these models is currently limited in teleosts. Based on a variety of factors, including genetic diversity, known toxicological sensitivity, and economic importance, we propose salmonids as a model family of fishes for studying intestinal
inflammation. We present a rainbow trout model of chemically-induced intestinal
inflammation using
2,4,6-trinitrobenzene sulfonic acid (TNBS), assessed through histological analysis of primary and secondary intestinal folding, enterocyte morphology, goblet cell size and frequency, tissue layer thickness, and immune cell infiltration. Twenty-four hours
after treatment with one of three concentrations of TNBS, trout developed classic signs of intestinal
inflammation, including notably increased thickness of primary and secondary folds, and increased immune cell infiltration as compared to controls. This study provides a simple, reproducible model of rapid TNBS-induction of moderate intestinal
inflammation.