Rodent models for diabetes.

Area of Science:

• Endocrinology
• Pharmacology
• Toxicology

Background:

• Diabetes mellitus (DM) is a global health concern with increasing prevalence and severe complications.
• Developing novel antidiabetic therapies necessitates robust preclinical models to understand disease mechanisms and evaluate drug efficacy.
• Experimental induction of DM in animal models is crucial for advancing research and drug discovery.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review and summarize various in vivo methods for inducing Type I and Type II diabetes mellitus in animal models.
• To provide a comprehensive overview of chemical, surgical, genetic, and viral induction methods.
• To assist researchers in selecting appropriate animal models based on research objectives, benefits, and limitations.

Main Methods:

• Literature review of preclinical studies involving experimental induction of DM.
• Categorization of induction methods including chemical agents (e.g., streptozotocin), surgical procedures, genetic manipulation, and viral induction.
• Evaluation of animal models based on face, predictive, and construct validity.

Main Results:

• Various in vivo models for DM induction were identified, encompassing chemical, surgical, genetic, and viral approaches.
• Chemically induced diabetes, particularly using streptozotocin, emerged as a widely preferred method in preclinical research.
• The choice of model depends on specific research goals, desired outcomes, and the need for validity.

Conclusions:

• A variety of validated animal models exist for studying diabetes mellitus.
• Streptozotocin-induced diabetes is a common and effective model for preclinical antidiabetic drug research.
• Selecting the appropriate animal model is critical for successful preclinical assessment and understanding DM pathophysiology.