Experimental models of obesity: critical analysis of the metabolic profile and of aplicability

• Main Author: Castro, Barbara Bruna Abreu
• Publication Date: 2019
• Other Authors: Arriel, Kaique, Renó, Petrus, Sanders-Pinheiro, Hélady
• Format: Article
• Language: por
• Source: HU Revista (Online)
• Download full: https://periodicos.ufjf.br/index.php/hurevista/article/view/14053
• topic: Animal models; Metabolism; Obesity; Rodentia.; Metabolismo; Modelos animais; Obesidade; Roedores

Introduction: The prevalence of obesity and other related diseases is increasing worldwide worrisome. Characterized by increased body weight or excessive accumulation of body fat, obesity has been associated with increased mortality due to higher incidence of hypertension, diabetes and many types of cancer. Animal models provide key data for understanding the basic parameters that regulate the components of our energy balance. Objective: This review selected articles that used animal models (mice and mice) for obesity focusing on the main metabolic changes caused by obesity in order to present the main models used in the last 5 years. Material and Methods: Two searches were performed in the PubMed database using the expressions "obesity" AND "metabolism" AND "animal model" AND "mice" and "obesity" AND "metabolism" AND "animal model" AND "rat". We selected the papers considered more relevant from the criteria: detailed description of the experimental model and analysis of the metabolic parameters of interest: weight, lipid profile and glycemic profile. Other references were used to better elucidate the models found and also those that were not mentioned, but we considered important for the understanding of the evolution of animal models of obesity. Results: Mouse was the most used species, the predominant gender was male, the rodent age ranged from neonates up to 44 weeks and the follow-up period reached up to 53 weeks. Obesity was confirmed by a significant weight gain and most studies showed alterations in lipid and glycemic metabolism. We found five groups of induction of obesity, but the majority of studies applied hiperlipidic diets, model which better mimics metabolic chances found in humans. Conclusion: Investigating the causes and effects of induced obesity in experimental models may provide a better understanding of the pathophysiology of obesity, creating new options for prevention and treatment.