Method for identifying novel treatments of inflammatory disease in the gut

A fish model for screening for gut function and/or disease phenotype, wherein a non-toxic, non-absorbed fluorescent dye is administered to medium containing embryonic fish that are optically clear to allow visualization of the fish gut following swallowing of the dye by the fish.

A method of generating a fish model for gut inflammatory disease, the method comprising administering a pro-inflammatory agent trinitrobenzene sulfonic acid (TNBS) or dextran sulphate sodium (DSS) to medium containing embryonic fish to induce the disease state in the fish gut.

A method of generating a fish model for screening for gut function and/or disease phenotype, the method comprising administering a non-toxic, non-absorbed fluorescent dye to medium containing embryonic fish that are optically clear to allow visualization of the fish gut following swallowing of the dye by the fish.

A method for assessing nausea, vomiting and/or an anti-emetic, an emesis inducing compound, the method comprising:

• administering to a fish that is optically clear a non-toxic, non-absorbed fluorescent or otherwise labeled compound which is ingested,
• administering to the fish the emesis inducing compound and/or inducing nausea through pipetting or rapid movement,
• assessing movement of the labeled compound through the gut of the fish, or its re-emergence from the mouth of the fish.

A method for assessing gut motility, IBS, diarrhea or constipation, the method comprising:

• administering to a fish a fluorescent- or otherwise-labeled compound which is ingested or directly visualizing the gut,
• optionally administering to the fish a motility modifying compound,
• assessing movement of the labeled compound through the gut, or movements of the gut itself, or emergence of the labeled compounds or of feces from the anus, and/or assessing quantity and quality of the feces.

A method for assessing stem cell activity, the method comprising:

• visualizing cell turnover and differentiation in a fish gut through:
• direct visualization of gut architecture through in vivo assessment or histological analysis, and/or BRDU labeling, or other labeling of mitotic activity,
• in the normal state, or following administration of a chemotoxin, cytotoxin or radiotherapy.

A method for assessing the effects of cancer therapies, the method comprising:

• visualizing cell turnover and differentiation in a fish gut through:
• direct visualization of gut architecture through in viva assessment or histological analysis, and/or BRDU labeling, or other labeling of mitotic activity
• in the normal state, or following administration of a chemotoxin, cytotoxin or radiotherapy.

A fish model for gut damage, wherein a chemotoxic agent sudan black in ethylene glycol or a cytotoxic agent is administered to medium containing embryonic fish to induce the disease state in the fish gut.

A method of generating a fish model for gut damage, the method comprising administering a chemotoxic agent sudan black in ethylene glycol or a cytotoxic agent to medium containing embryonic fish to induce damage in the fish gut.