Latent autoimmune diabetes mellitus in adult humans with non-insulin-dependent diabetes: is Psammomys obesus a suitable animal model?

Acta Diabetol. 1995 Jun;32(2):92-4. doi: 10.1007/BF00569564.

Abstract

Recent data suggest that in a proportion of NIDDM patients there is a slowly evolving insulitis which results in a latent autoimmune diabetes leading to full insulin-dependence. Many animal models exist of NIDDM but none have reported the spontaneous existence of a similar phenomenon. We have re-examined the histology of pancreata from a few Psammomys obesus who had become insulin-dependent in the late stages of NIDDM. We report here the unexpected finding of the presence of insulitis in these animals and suggest that they could be a model for the clinical observation of latent IDDM in NIDDM patients.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Animals
  • Blood Glucose / metabolism
  • Diabetes Mellitus, Type 1 / immunology
  • Diabetes Mellitus, Type 1 / pathology*
  • Diabetes Mellitus, Type 1 / physiopathology*
  • Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 / immunology
  • Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 / pathology*
  • Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 / physiopathology*
  • Disease Models, Animal
  • Gerbillinae*
  • Humans
  • Insulin / blood
  • Islets of Langerhans / immunology
  • Islets of Langerhans / pathology*
  • Lymphocytes / immunology
  • Lymphocytes / pathology

Substances

  • Blood Glucose
  • Insulin