Rodent animal model for research in diabetes: A mini-review

Abstract

Diabetes mellitus (DM) is classified into two groups: type 1 diabetes (T1DM) and type 2 diabetes (T2DM). T1DM requires insulin treatment. T2DM is characterized by insulin resistance, and it can be treated with variety of pharmacological and other compounds to alleviate or delay diabetes complications. The primary factors in the onset of DM are hyperglycaemia and hyperlipidaemia. Diabetic complications are grouped as macrovascular (heart disease, stroke and others) and microvascular (diabetic nephropathy, neuropathy, and retinopathy). For diabetes research several models have been used. In this review we provide an introduction to diabetes mellitus and its complications, currently used rodent animal models in diabetes research, the main results concerning therapeutical agents and the main targets.