Table 1 Advantages and Disadvantages of different Models of Diabetes mellitus
From: Acute and chronic animal models for the evaluation of anti-diabetic agents
| S.No | Methods | Advantage | Disadvantage |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1(a) | Pancreatectomy in dogs |
Resembles human type 2 diabetes due to reduced islet beta cell mass Avoids cytotoxic effects of chemical diabetogens on other body organs |
Involvement of cumbersome technical and post operative procedures Occurrence of some other digestive problems (as a result of part of excision of exocrine portion (deficiency of amylase enzyme) Dissection of alpha islets (glucagon secreting cells) too along with beta cells leading to problems in counter regulatory response to hypoglycemia Mortality is comparatively higher |
| 1(b) | Alloxan induced diabetes |
Selective loss of pancreatic beta cells leaving other pancreatic alpha and delta cells intact Residual insulin secretion makes the animals live long without insulin treatment Ketosis and resulting mortality is relatively less. Comparatively cheaper, easier to develop and maintain |
Hyperglycemia develops primarily by direct cytotoxic action on the beta cells and insulin deficiency rather than consequence of insulin resistance Less stable and reversible because of the spontaneous regeneration of beta cells May produce toxic effects on other body organs Variability of results on development of hyperglycaemia is perhaps high |
| 1(c) | Streptozotocin induced diabetes |
Diabetes induced by streptozotocin is more stable This model can be used for longer experimental study |
Comparatively costlier to develop Mortality is relatively more |
| 1(d) | Hormone induced diabetes |
Stable and irreversible diabetes can be induced Ketonuria and ketonemia occurs Not developed in small laboratory animals |
Comparatively costlier to develop May affect other organs |
| 1(e) | Virus induced diabetes | Stable and irreversible diabetes can be induced |
Comparatively costlier to develop It develops Type 1 diabetes Handling of virus requires a technical expert |
| 1(f) | Other diabetogenic compounds |
Comparatively cheaper to develop Mortality is relatively less Can be developed in all type of experimental animals |
May affect other organs Variability of results on development of hyperglycaemia is high |
| 1(g) | Insulin deficiency due to insulin antibodies |
State of insulin deficiency occurs Induce a transient diabetic syndrome |
Comparatively costlier to develop Reversible at lower doses Ketonemia, ketonuria, glucosuria, and acidosis occurs in higher dose |
| 2(a) | Spontaneously diabetic rats | Hyperglycemia persists for several days |
A diabetes and obesity symptom overlaps Not identical to those in human disease |
| 2(b) | Spontaneously diabetic mice | Hyperlipidemia can be studied as lipid contents increases | Polyphagia and polyuria occurs |
| 2(c) | Chinese hamsters | Handling is comparatively difficult than rats and mice | Ketonuria, polyuria, polyphagia, polydipsia occurs |
| 2(d) | Other species with inherited diabetic symptoms | Handling is comparatively difficult than rats and mice | Comparatively costlier to develop |
| 2(e) | Transgenic animals |
In vivo effect of single gene or mutation on diabetes can be studied Dissection of complex genetics of type 2 diabetes become easier |
Costly method Experts are required |
| 3 (a) | Invertebrate animal model |
Lesser time is required No use of vertebrates Comparatively cheaper | The physiology and anatomy matches less with humans |
| 3 (b) | Diet Induced metabolic dysregulation |
Baboons and humans are genetically, anatomically, and physiologically very similar Cardiac complications can be studied |
Handling of baboon is somewhat difficult Veterinarian is required Costly model |