Diabetes in mice with monogenic obesity: the db/db mouse and its use in the study of cardiac consequences.
The leptin receptor deficient db/db mouse has served as a rodent model for obesity and type 2 diabetes for more than 40 years. Diabetic features in db/db mice follow an age-dependent progression, with early insulin resistance followed by an insulin secretory defect resulting in profound hyperglycemia. Diabetic db/db mice have been utilized to assess the cardiac consequences of diabetes, specifically evidence for a distinct diabetic cardiomyopathy. The db/db model is characterized by a contractile function deficit in the heart which becomes manifest 8-10 weeks after birth. Metabolic changes include an increased reliance on fatty acids and a decreased reliance on glucose as a fuel source for oxidative metabolism within the heart. As a mouse model for type 2 diabetes, both drug treatment and transgenic manipulation have proven beneficial towards improving metabolism and contractile function. The db/db mouse model has provided a useful resource to understand and treat the type 2 diabetic condition.
The University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada.
Darrell D
DD
Belke
David L
DL
Severson
D000818:Animals; D009202:Cardiomyopathies / Q000209:etiology* / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism / Q000503:physiopathology*; D003921:Diabetes Mellitus, Experimental / Q000150:complications* / Q000235:genetics; D003924:Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 / Q000150:complications* / Q000235:genetics; D006321:Heart / Q000503:physiopathology*; D006334:Heart Function Tests / Q000379:methods; D051379:Mice; D009200:Myocardial Contraction; D009206:Myocardium / Q000166:cytology / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D009765:Obesity / Q000150:complications* / Q000235:genetics; D010641:Phenotype; D054411:Receptors, Leptin / Q000235:genetics
D054411:Receptors, Leptin; C515447:leptin receptor, mouse