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Methods and models for metabolic assessment in mice
Abstract:
The development of new therapies for the treatment of type 2 diabetes requires robust, reproducible and well validated in vivo experimental systems. Mice provide the most ideal animal model for studies of potential therapies. Unlike larger animals, mice have a short gestational period, are genetically similar, often give birth to many offspring at once and can be housed as multiple groups in a single cage. The mouse model has been extensively metabolically characterized using different tests. This report summarizes how these tests can be executed and how arising data are analyzed to confidently determine changes in insulin resistance and insulin secretion with high reproducibility. The main tests for metabolic assessment in the mouse reviewed here are the glucose clamp, the intravenous and the oral glucose tolerance tests. For all these experiments, including some commonly adopted variants, we describe: (i) their performance; (ii) their advantages and limitations; (iii) the empirical formulas and mathematical models implemented for the analysis of the data arising from the experimental procedures to obtain reliable measurements of peripheral insulin sensitivity and beta cell function. Finally, a list of previous applications of these methods and analytical techniques is provided to better comprehend their use and the evidences that these studies yielded.
Insights
Mice are ideal models for type 2 diabetes research, offering reproducible metabolic assessments. This review details key tests for evaluating insulin resistance and secretion in mice, crucial for developing new therapies.
Area of Science:
- * Metabolic research and preclinical drug development for type 2 diabetes.
- * In vivo experimental systems and animal modeling in endocrinology.
Background:
- * Development of novel type 2 diabetes therapies necessitates validated in vivo models.
- * Mice offer advantages as a model organism due to their physiology and genetics.
Purpose of the Study:
- * To summarize the execution and data analysis of metabolic assessment tests in mice.
- * To provide a guide for reliable measurement of insulin resistance and beta-cell function.
- * To detail methods for evaluating potential type 2 diabetes treatments in mice.
Main Methods:
- * Review of key metabolic assessment tests: glucose clamp, intravenous glucose tolerance test (IVGTT), and oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT).
- * Description of experimental performance, advantages, and limitations for each test.
- * Explanation of empirical formulas and mathematical models for data analysis.
Main Results:
- * Provides a framework for reproducible assessment of insulin sensitivity and secretion in mice.
- * Details analytical approaches to ensure reliable interpretation of metabolic data.
- * Highlights the utility of mouse models in diabetes research.
Conclusions:
- * Standardized metabolic testing in mice is essential for advancing type 2 diabetes therapies.
- * The described methods and analytical techniques enable robust evaluation of drug efficacy.
- * This review serves as a comprehensive resource for researchers utilizing mouse models in diabetes studies.
