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Published on: November 1, 2019
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Rodent models of obesity
Michael Doulberis1,2, Apostolis Papaefthymiou3, Stergios A Polyzos4
1Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland - michael.doulberis@usz.ch.
Minerva Endocrinologica
|November 19, 2019
Summary
Obesity is a global pandemic requiring effective treatments. This review critically examines widely used rodent models, including diet-induced and genetic types, to guide researchers in selecting appropriate models for obesity research.
Area of Science:
- Biomedical Research
- Animal Models
- Metabolic Syndrome
Background:
- Obesity affects over one-third of the global population, contributing to metabolic syndrome and cardiovascular risks.
- Effective treatments are crucial due to the pandemic nature of obesity.
- Rodent models, particularly mice and rats, are vital for understanding obesity's pathophysiology due to shared genetics and physiology.
Purpose of the Study:
- To consolidate and critically review common mouse and rat models of obesity.
- To highlight the strengths and weaknesses of various obesity models.
- To aid researchers in selecting the most appropriate animal model for translational obesity research.
Main Methods:
- Review of existing literature on rodent models of obesity.
- Inclusion of diet-induced, chemical/mechanical, monogenic, and polygenic models.
- Critical analysis of model strengths and weaknesses for translational relevance.
Main Results:
- Identification of widely used mice and rat models for obesity research.
- Evaluation of the utility of different induction methods (diet, chemical, mechanical) and genetic models.
- Discussion of translational potential based on model characteristics.
Conclusions:
- Careful selection of animal models is essential for generating translatable results in obesity research.
- Rodent models offer valuable insights into obesity's complex mechanisms.
- This review provides a guide for researchers to choose optimal models for their studies.
