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Limitations of Leptin in Rodent Models
The most widely used rodent models of type 2 diabetes do not accurately reflect the disease as it occurs in humans, according to a new review by Physicians Committee scientists.
Although rodents deficient in the leptin receptor develop obesity and diabetes-like symptoms, this is the result of genetic mutations that are not relevant to human type 2 diabetes.
Because of the substantial differences between animal models of diabetes and the human disease, researchers must recognize the limitations of the leptin receptor-based rodent models and pursue human-relevant methods if they are to understand and ultimately manage type 2 diabetes in human patients.
References
- Wang B, Chandrasekera PC, Pippin JJ. Leptin- and leptin receptor-deficient rodent models: relevance for human type 2 diabetes. Curr Diabetes Rev. 2014. 10(2):131-45
