Zucker diabetic fatty (ZDF) rats_Type II diabetes
Model advantages
The Zucker Diabetic Fatty (ZDF) rat fed a lipid-rich diet, closely mimics human adult onset of type II diabetes and its related complications. In time, ZDF rats evolve from a model of metabolic syndrome to a type II diabetic rat based on impaired glucose tolerance caused by the inherited obesity gene mutation which leads to insulin resistance.
Pathophysiological features
Metabolic features
- Age-dependent evolution from insulin resistance to type II Diabetes mellitus (figure 1)
- Variable hyperinsulinemia
- Hyperglycemia
- Hypertriglyceridemia / Hypercholesterolemia
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| Figure 1: Age-dependent evolution of glucose metabolism in ZDF rats. |
Cardiovascular features
- Vascular endothelial dysfunction (aorta, superior mesenteric artery, …) from 20 weeks of age (figure 2)
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| Figure 2: Comparison of endothelium-dependent relaxations in ZDF and in their control (Lean) obtained in in vitro experiments performed in aortic and superior mesenteric artery rings. (2-way ANOVA, ***P<0.001) (Pelvipharm, internal data). |
Other pathophysiological features
- Nephropathy
- Neuropathy
- Blindness
- Impaired wound healing
Summarized methodology
- ZDF: homozygous for non-functional leptin receptors (ZDF/Gmi fa/fa)
- Lean controls: homozygous for normal receptors remain lean and normoglycaemic
(ZDF/Gmi +/?)
Related Pelvipharm bibliography
Non disclosable information for confidentiality reasons
Links to applicable Experimental skills
- Administration routes / Regimen
- Confocal Microscopy
- Immunohistology
- Metabolic cages (diuresis, renal function, spontaneous micturition)
- Morphology
- Morphometry
- Non invasive blood pressure monitoring (tail cuff)
- Organ bath with animal tissues (In Vitro studies)
- Oxidative fluorescence
- Plasma / urine / tissue collection
- Protein expression and activity
- Spectrophotometric assays
- Telemetry
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