Whole animal models, such as mice and pigs, provides the best surrogates for humans in the lab. Because these animals share the same cells, tissues and organs as humans, they offer the best indicator of how humans will react to a new diabetes drug or medical treatment.

Streptozotocin (STZ) is an antibiotic that can cause pancreatic β-cell destruction, so it is widely used experimentally as an agent capable of inducing insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (IDDM), also known as type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM).

For induction of experimental diabetes in male adult rats weighted 250-300 grams (75-90 days), 60mg/kg of Streptozotocin was injected intravenously. Three days after degeneration of beta cells, diabetes was induced in all animals.

These data suggest that the C57BL/6J mouse carries a genetic predisposition to develop non-insulin-dependent (type II) diabetes. Futhermore, altered glycemic response to adrenergic stimulation may be a biologic marker for this genetic predisposition to develop type II diabetes.

Although rats and mice are the most commonly used models for studies of type 2 diabetes, other rodents have also been identified as useful models.

Diabetes is induced by streptozotocin (STZ), a glucosamine–nitrosourea compound derived from Streptomyces achromogenes that is used clinically as a chemotherapeutic agent in the treatment of pancreatic β cell carcinoma. STZ damages pancreatic β cells, resulting in hypoinsulinemia and hyperglycemia.

Intra-venous injection of 60mg/kg dose of Streptozotocin in adult wistar rats, makes pancreas swell and at last causes degeneration in Langerhans islet beta cells and induces experimental diabetes mellitus in the 2–4 days.

Streptozotocin-induced diabetic murine models develop type 1 diabetes, due to the cytotoxic glucose analogue streptozotocin (STZ) that is toxic to pancreatic β-cells and causes insulin deficiency.

To induce diabetes, animals of both sexes received daily intraperitoneal (i.p.) injection of STZ for 5 consecutive days at 55 mg/kg BW (a dose that is known to induce diabetes in male mice) or for females, 75 mg/kg BW of STZ.

Streptozotocin (STZ)-Induced Diabetic Model. The diabetogenic effects are due to the selective destruction of pancreatic islet β-cells, resulting in insulin deficiency, hyperglycemia, polydipsia, and polyuria, all of which mimic human type 1 diabetes mellitus.

This model has three major advantages. Firstly, it closely resembles human type 1 diabetes with chronic pancreatic islet inflammation, insulitis, and insulin deficiency. Secondly, the small size of mice makes it cost-effective to establish.

This unit describes protocols for the production of insulin deficiency and hyperglycemia in mice and rats, using STZ. These models for diabetes can be employed for assessing the mechanisms of T1DM, screening potential therapies for the treatment of this condition, and evaluation of therapeutic options.

Creative Biolabs is one of the most reliable industry leaders professional in developing animal models of diseases. At Creative Biolabs, all studies in chemically-induced diabetic mice/rats models can be customized to meet your specific requirements. What is Streptozotocin (STZ)?