Study of the pathogenesis and treatment of diabetes mellitus through animal models

Endocrinol Nutr. 2016 Aug-Sep;63(7):345-53. doi: 10.1016/j.endonu.2016.03.011. Epub 2016 May 28.
[Article in English, Spanish]

Abstract

Most research in diabetes mellitus (DM) has been conducted in animals, and their replacement is currently a chimera. As compared to when they started to be used by modern science in the 17th century, a very high number of animal models of diabetes is now available, and they provide new insights into almost every aspect of diabetes. Approaches combining human, in vitro, and animal studies are probably the best strategy to improve our understanding of the underlying mechanisms of diabetes, and the choice of the best model to achieve such objective is crucial. Traditionally classified based on pathogenesis as spontaneous or induced models, each has its own advantages and disadvantages. The most common animal models of diabetes are described, and in addition to non-obese diabetic mice, biobreeding diabetes-prone (BB-DP) rats, streptozotocin-induced models, or high-fat diet-induced diabetic C57Bl/6J mice, new valuable models, such as dogs and cats with spontaneous diabetes, are described.

Keywords: Animal model; Cat; Diabetes; Dog; Gato; Modelo animal; Perro.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Alloxan
  • Animals
  • Cat Diseases / genetics
  • Cats
  • Diabetes Mellitus / etiology*
  • Diabetes Mellitus / genetics
  • Diabetes Mellitus / therapy*
  • Diabetes Mellitus / veterinary
  • Diabetes Mellitus, Experimental* / etiology
  • Diabetes Mellitus, Experimental* / therapy
  • Dietary Fats / toxicity
  • Disease Models, Animal*
  • Dog Diseases / genetics
  • Dogs
  • Humans
  • Mice, Inbred Strains
  • Mice, Mutant Strains
  • Pancreatectomy
  • Rats, Inbred Strains
  • Rats, Mutant Strains
  • Rodent Diseases / genetics
  • Species Specificity
  • Streptozocin

Substances

  • Dietary Fats
  • Streptozocin
  • Alloxan