A Review of Experimental Animal Models Used in Diabetes Research

Abstract

Diabetes mellitus is a chronic metabolic disorder characterized by persistent hyperglycemia resulting from impaired insulin secretion, insulin resistance, or a combination of both. Owing to its rising global prevalence and associated microvascular and macrovascular complications, there is an increasing demand for safe, effective, and affordable therapeutic strategies. Experimental animal models play a pivotal role in diabetes research by enabling the investigation of disease mechanisms, pathophysiological changes, and the preclinical evaluation of antidiabetic agents. This review provides a comprehensive overview of the major experimental animal models of diabetes, encompassing chemically induced, diet-induced, genetically modified, and combined models. Each model offers distinct advantages in mimicking specific aspects of type 1 or type 2 diabetes, such as beta-cell destruction, insulin resistance, obesity, and diabetic complications. The utility of these models in antidiabetic drug discovery, mechanistic studies, and pharmacological evaluation is critically discussed, along with their limitations in translating findings to human disease. A clear understanding of the strengths and limitations of each model is essential for appropriate model selection in preclinical research and for the development of novel therapeutic interventions for diabetes mellitus.