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Updated: Jun 23, 2026
Assessment of Kidney Function in Mouse Models of Glomerular Disease
Published on: June 30, 2018
Experimental model of nephropathy associated with diabetes mellitus in mice
Pâmela Henrique Silva1, Patrícia Henrique Silva1, Adalberto Vieira Corazza2
1Universidade Federal de Mato Grosso do Sul - Programa de Pós-Graduação em Saúde e Desenvolvimento na Região CentroOeste - Campo Grande (MS), Brazil.
Purpose:
Nontransmissible chronic diseases, such as diabetes mellitus (DM) and nephropathy, affect a significant portion of the population, often treated due to injuries that require healing and regeneration. To create an experimental model of associated comorbidities, for healing and regeneration studies, protocols for induction of nephropathy by ischemia and reperfusion (I/R) and induction of DM by injection of streptozotocin (STZ) were associated.
Methods:
Sixty-four mice (Mus musculus), female, adult, Swiss strain, weighing approximately 20 g, were divided into four groups: G1: control (n = 24), G2: nephropathy group (N) (n = 7), G3, DM (n = 9), and G4: N+DM (n = 24). Arteriovenous stenosis (I/R) of the left kidney was performed as the first protocol. The animals received a hyperlipidemic diet for 7 days after the injection of STZ (150 mg/kg, via i.p.) and an aqueous glucose solution (10%) for 24 h. The animals in the G3 and G4 groups were observed for 14 days before receiving the diet and STZ. The evolution of nephropathy was observed using a urine test strip and the DM, through the analysis of blood glucose with a reagent strip on a digital monitor.
Results:
The ischemic induction protocols of nephropathy and DM with STZ, associated, were sustainable, low-cost, and without deaths. There were alterations compatible with initial renal alterations, in the first 14 days, such as increased urinary density, pH alteration, presence of glucose, proteins and leukocytes, when compared to the control group. DM was confirmed by the presence of hyperglycemia 7 days after induction and its evolution after 14 days. The animals in the G4 group showed constant weight loss when compared to the other groups. It was possible to observe morphological alterations in the kidneys submitted to I/R, regarding coloration, during surgery and after the end of the observation period, in the volume and size of the left kidney, when compared to the contralateral kidney.
Conclusions:
It was possible to induce nephropathy and DM associated in the same animal, in a simple way, confirmed with rapid tests, without losses, providing a basis for future studies.
Insights
This study successfully created a low-cost, sustainable animal model for studying associated diabetes mellitus (DM) and nephropathy. This model, induced by ischemia-reperfusion and streptozotocin, offers a reliable basis for future research on chronic diseases.
Area of Science:
- Biomedical Research
- Animal Models
- Chronic Disease Research
Background:
- Nontransmissible chronic diseases like diabetes mellitus (DM) and nephropathy are prevalent and often require treatments for associated injuries.
- Developing experimental models for studying comorbidities is crucial for advancing healing and regeneration research.
Purpose of the Study:
- To establish a sustainable and cost-effective experimental model for inducing both nephropathy and diabetes mellitus (DM) in the same animal.
- To provide a foundation for future studies on the healing and regeneration processes in the context of associated comorbidities.
Main Methods:
- Sixty-four female Swiss mice were divided into control, nephropathy, DM, and combined nephropathy-DM groups.
- Nephropathy was induced via ischemia-reperfusion (I/R) of the left kidney.
- Diabetes mellitus was induced using streptozotocin (STZ) injection, followed by a hyperlipidemic diet and glucose solution.
Main Results:
- The induction protocols for nephropathy and DM were sustainable, low-cost, and resulted in no animal deaths.
- Early renal alterations, including changes in urine density, pH, glucose, protein, and leukocytes, were observed within 14 days.
- Diabetes mellitus was confirmed by hyperglycemia, and the combined group exhibited significant weight loss and observable morphological kidney changes post-I/R.
Conclusions:
- A simple, reliable, and cost-effective method for inducing associated nephropathy and diabetes mellitus in a single animal model was successfully developed.
- Rapid tests confirmed the induction of both conditions, with no animal losses, establishing a valuable platform for future research.
