Dextran sulfate sodium salt (DSS) is a polyanionic derivative of dextran produced by the esterification of Dextran with chlorosulphonic acid. The sulfur content is approximately 17% which corresponds to an average of 1.9 sulfate groups per glucosyl residue of the dextran molecule. DSS has several characteristics: 1) polyanionic complex, soluble in water, forming a colorless aqueous solution; 2) high purity and good stability; 3) can be degraded naturally. Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is a chronic, relapsing gastrointestinal infection that increases the risk of intestinal tumors, mainly including UC and Crohn disease (CD). In 1985, after the hamster ulcerative colitis model was first prepared by using DSS, a large number of studies have proved that the DSS colitis model is similar to human ulcerative colitis. The histological features, clinical manifestations, disease site, and cytokine proliferation of the DSS colitis model are very similar to human ulcerative colitis (UC). The modeling conditions and operation methods of this model are simple, the expenditure is very cheap, the repeatability is good, and it is easy to master and popularize. The DSS concentration and dosing time can be adjusted according to the experimental purpose to establish acute, chronic, and acute-chronic alternation models. Features High purity, water-soluble, and stable – forms a clear aqueous solution with reliable quality. Biodegradable – naturally degradable, safe for long-term studies. Easy to use – simple protocols with high repeatability. Versatile UC model induction – dose-dependent UC symptoms, closely resembling human UC. Multi-species applicability – effective in mice, rats, zebrafish, pigs, fruit flies, etc. Widely used in IBD/CAC research – especially suitable for colitis and colitis-associated cancer models (with AOM). Applications For modeling colitis Specifications English synonym Dextran Sulfate Sodium Salt, DSS; Dextran Sodium Sulfate CAS NO. 9011-18-1 Formula (C6H7Na3O14S3)n Appearance White or off-white powder Solubility Soluble in water, slightly soluble in ethanol. Structure Components Components No. Name 60316ES10 60316ES25 60316ES60 60316ES76 60316ES80 60316 Dextran Sulfate Sodium Salt (DSS) MW:36000~50000 10 g 25 g 100 g 500 g 1 kg Shipping and Storage The product is shipped and stored at room temperature, valid for 2 years. Figure Figure 1 H&E staining results of DSS acute colitis sections[1] Animal: BALB/c mice, female, 6-8 weeks, 25 g; Method: 3.5% DSS for 7 days Figure 2 H&E staining results of colitis-associated cancer sections[2] Animal: BALB/c mice, male,7 weeks old;; DSS concentration: 2.5%; AOM concentration:10 mg/kg; Experiment period:10 weeks *Links to this resource: [1]Gao X, Fan W, Tan L, et al. Soy isoflavones ameliorate experimental colitis by targeting ERα/NLRP3 inflammasome pathways[J]. The Journal of Nutritional Biochemistry, 2020, 83.[2]Jia-Rong Huang, et al. Piperlongumine Alleviates Mouse Colitis and Colitis-Associated Colorectal Cancer[J]. Frontiers in Pharmacology. 2020.586885 Documents Safety Data Sheet 60316_MSDS_HB250219_EN_1652931562844.PDF Manuals 60316_Manual_HB20260402.pdf Related Blog The protocol of Ulcerative Colitis Zebrafish Modeling using Dextran sodium sulfate (DSS) The protocol of Ulcerative Colitis Mice Modeling using Dextran sodium sulfate (DSS,Acute) The protocol of Ulcerative Colitis Mice Modeling using Dextran sodium sulfate (DSS,Chronic) Establishment of Azoxymethane (AOM) and Dextran Sulfate Sodium (DSS,Colitis Grade) Induced Colitis-Associated Cancer Model Ulcerative Colitis Piglet Modeling using Dextran sodium sulfate (DSS) Ulcerative Colitis Rat Modeling using Dextran sodium sulfate (DSS) Ulcerative Colitis Drosophila Modeling using Dextran sodium sulfate(DSS) How to evaluate the success of a DSS-induced colitis model FAQs About DSS-Induced Colitis Modeling Animal Model Products – Selection Guide FAQs Q1: What are the key factors that affect the success of DSS modeling? A1: DSS concentration, molecular weight, administration time, animal species and rearing environment. Q2: What is the daily volume of drinking water for rats and mice (including acute and chronic modeling)? A2: 7-10 mL per day for mice (20~25 g) and 10~11 mL per day for rats (100 g). Q3: Both DSS and TNBS are models of colitis. What is the difference between the two? A3: DSS induces ulcerative colitis and TNBS induces Crohn's colitis. Q4: What is the difference between GAPDH and actin for primer selection? A4: The difference is not big. GAPDH is used more. It is recommended to use GAPDH as an internal reference for mice. Q5: Mice have a high lethality rate A5: Reason: DSS concentration is too high. Recommendation: Appropriately reduce the concentration of DSS administered Q6: Mice have no symptoms of enteritis or low symptoms of enteritis A6: Reason: DSS concentration is too low, suggestion: appropriately increase DSS administration concentration; or reduce cycle interval (10-14 days) Q7: In the same group of mice, the symptoms of enteritis vary greatly A7: Reasons: 1. The bottle cap was blocked; 2. Some mice did not drink/a small amount of DSS. Suggestions: 1. Check the mouse drinking bottle every day; 2. Each mouse is isolated and cultured separately, and the water intake of the mice is checked every day or the mice are pre-raised for 1-2 weeks after arrival, and the mice with abnormal water intake are excluded. Q8: Which part of the colon is more reliable for HE staining? A8: The mouse anus goes up 1-2 cm. Q9: DSS treatment of NCM460, the recommended concentration for cell modeling A9: It is recommended to incubate with 3% DSS for 24h. Citations & References [1] Ma, X., Chen, J., Wang, F. et al. High fructose consumption aggravates inflammation by promoting effector T cell generation via inducing metabolic reprogramming. Sig Transduct Target Ther 10, 271 (2025). doi: 10.1038/s41392-025-02359-9. IF=52.7 [2] Zhong D, Jin K, Wang R, Chen B, Zhang J, Ren C, Chen X, Lu J, Zhou M. Microalgae-Based Hydrogel for Inflammatory Bowel Disease and Its Associated Anxiety and Depression. Adv Mater. 2024 Jan 26: e2312275.doi:10.1002/adma.202312275. Epub ahead of print. PMID: 38277492. 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Gut Microbes,.2020 .1–18.IF=10.245 [6] Jingjing Gan, Yuxiao Liu, Lingyu Sun,et al.Orally administrated nucleotide-delivery particles from microfluidics for inflammatory bowel disease treatment[J].Applied Materials Today.2021 Dec;25:101231 IF=10.041 [7] JialiDong,YuanLi,HuiwenXiao,et al.Oral microbiota affects the efficacy and prognosis of radiotherapy for colorectal cancer in mouse models[J].Cell reports.2021, 109886.IF=9.423 [8] Hao H, Zhang X, Tong L, Liu Q,et al.Lactobacillus plantarumEffect of Extracellular Vesicles Derived From Q7 on Gut Microbiota and Ulcerative Colitis in Mice[J].Frontiers in Immunology.2021.777147 .IF=7.561 [9] Yaohua Fan,Yanqun Fan,Kunfeng Liu,et al.Edible Bird’s Nest Ameliorates Dextran Sulfate Sodium-Induced Ulcerative Colitis in C57BL/6J Mice by Restoring the Th17/Treg Cell Balance[J].Frontiers in Pharmacology.2021.632602.IF=7.561
