Guidelines on models of diabetic heart disease

Area of Science:

• Cardiology
• Endocrinology
• Translational Medicine

Background:

• Diabetes mellitus significantly increases the risk of cardiovascular diseases (CVDs), including diabetic cardiomyopathy, atherosclerosis, myocardial infarction, and heart failure.
• CVD is the leading cause of mortality in individuals with diabetes, driving intensive research into disease mechanisms and therapeutic impacts.
• Despite progress, existing preclinical models of diabetes have inherent limitations in fully recapitulating human diabetic heart disease.

Purpose of the Study:

• To provide guidelines for selecting the most accurate preclinical models that reproduce cardiovascular aspects of human diabetic populations.
• To critically evaluate the advantages and disadvantages of various diabetes models for studying CVD.
• To highlight practical challenges and technical considerations in using these models.

Main Methods:

• Review of preclinical animal models of diabetes, categorized by induction method.
• Appraisal of models specifically for diabetes-related atherosclerosis and heart failure.
• Discussion of in vitro models relevant to diabetic heart disease.

Main Results:

• Identification of specific strengths and weaknesses of diverse animal and in vitro models in mimicking human diabetic cardiovascular conditions.
• Analysis of how different models represent key aspects of diabetic cardiomyopathy, atherosclerosis, and heart failure.
• Consideration of practical and technical factors influencing model selection and data interpretation.

Conclusions:

• Selecting the appropriate preclinical model is crucial for accurately investigating diabetic heart disease and its associated cardiovascular risks.
• This guideline facilitates informed model selection based on specific research questions, enhancing the translational relevance of findings.
• A thorough understanding of model limitations is essential for advancing research on diabetes and cardiovascular complications.