Abstract
Many animal models that are currently used in appetite and obesity research share at least some main features of human obesity and its comorbidities. Hence, even though no animal model replicates all aspects of "common" human obesity, animal models are imperative in studying the control of energy balance and reasons for its imbalance that may eventually lead to overt obesity. The most frequently used animal models are small rodents that may be based on mutations or manipulations of individual or several genes and on the exposure to obesogenic diets or other manipulations that predispose the animals to gaining or maintainingexcessive weight. Characteristics include hyperphagia or changes in energy metabolism and at least in some models the frequent comorbidities of obesity, like hyperglycemia, insulin resistance, or diabetes-like syndromes. Some of the most frequently used animal models of obesity research involve animals with monogenic mutations of the leptin pathway which in fact are useful to study specific mechanistic aspects of eating controls, but typically do not recapitulate "common" obesity in the human population. Hence, this review will mention advantages and disadvantages of respective animal models in order to build a basis for the most appropriate use in biomedical research.
Published Version
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
