Modeling type 2 diabetes in rats using high fat diet and streptozotocin

The pathology of type 2 diabetes is complex, with multiple stages culminating in a functional β-cell mass that is insufficient to meet the body's needs. Although the broad outlines of the disease etiology are known, many critical questions remain to be answered before next-generation therapeutics can be developed. In order to further elucidate the pathobiology of this disease, animal models mimicking the pathology of human type 2 diabetes are of great value. One example of a type 2 diabetes animal model is the high-fat diet-fed, streptozotocin (HFD/STZ)-treated rat model. The present review first summarizes the current understanding of the metabolic profile and pathology involved in the different stages of the…