Experimental Model Organisms in Type 2 Diabetes Research: A Review

Type 2 Diabetes, a disease state recognized by impaired insulin sensitivity and hyperglycemia, is presently one of the world’s leading causes of mortality and morbidity. The concrete knowledge of these appropriate experimental models are very much required for understanding the pathogenesis, complications, and genetic, environmental or behavioral factors that increase the risks of this disorder along with the testing of various therapeutic agents. The animal models of type 2 diabetes can be obtained either genetically or induced by chemicals or dietary or surgical manipulations and/or by various combinations thereof. Till date, enormous number of new genetically modified animal models in addition to the traditional models like transgenic, generalized knock-out and tissue specific knockout mice have also been developed for the study of Type 2 Diabetes. This review basically provides an insight into the various experimental animal models of type 2 diabetes with reference to their origin/source, characteristic features, underlying causes/mechanism(s), advantages and disadvantages of those models in this regard. Moreover, it also gives an idea of dosages of various chemical diabetogens in different models. Hence, this review will comparatively evaluate all the experimental models, thus guiding the diabetes researchers to more accurately select the most appropriate model according to their specific requirements.