Animal Models of Diabetes and Related Metabolic Diseases

In the article entitled “Spontaneously Diabetic Torii (SDT) Fatty Rat, a Novel Animal Model of Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus, Shows Blunted Circadian Rhythms and Melatonin Secretion,” K. Sakimura et al. demonstrate the deficits in the circadian rhythms and dysregulation of melatonin secretion in SDT fatty rat, a new animal model of type 2 diabetic obesity. Since hyperglycemia, hyperlipidemia, and insulin resistance are all observed in these SDT fatty rats from a young age, this exciting new animal model will undoubtedly be useful for future studies investigating the relationship between deficits in the circadian rhythm and metabolic dysfunction in obese type 2 diabetics. In the article entitled “Aerobic Training Associated to Arginine Supplementation Reduces Platelet Hyperaggregability Collagen-Induced in Rats under High Risk to Develop Metabolic Syndrome,” Motta et al. examined the impact of aerobic training and/or arginine supplementation on platelet hyperaggregability, inflammatory mediators (i.e., IL-6 and IL-8), serum lipid profile, and serum lipid peroxidation in fructose-administered rats. In addition to an antiobesity effect in aged obese rats, vanadyl sulfate improved insulin sensitivity and oral glucose tolerance tests in rats with fructose-induced chronic obesity.