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Obesity Animal Model Development
Obesity poses a significant health problem and remains one of the primary causes of death in both humans and companion animals worldwide. It not only increases the risk of life-threatening conditions such as diabetes, cardiovascular disorders, strokes, and colon cancer, but also leads to various complications in pets. BioVenic offers comprehensive solutions for Metabolic Disorder Animal Model Development including obesity animal model development, allowing you to achieve your research goals through our range of services and integrated platforms.
Background
Obesity's impact extends beyond human health concerns to become a substantial threat for animals as well. Companion animals, including dogs and cats, are particularly affected by obesity-related health problems. In dogs, obesity has been linked to osteoarthritis, renal disease, skin issues, insulin resistance, and neoplasia. Similarly, in cats, obesity is associated with dermatological conditions, diabetes mellitus, neoplasia, and urolithiasis. The root cause of obesity lies in an extended imbalance between energy intake and expenditure, resulting in the accumulation of excess body lipids, primarily in adipose tissue. Understanding the factors that regulate energy intake and expenditure is crucial for developing effective treatments for obesity. Animal models serve as valuable tools for conducting research on obesity, aiding in the development of obesity treatments and functional foods.
Table. 1 Diseases associated with obesity in dogs and cats.
| Diabetes mellitus | Insulin resistance | Hyperadrenocorticism |
| Insulinoma | Acromegaly | Hypothyroidism |
| Hyperinsulinemia | Metabolic syndrome | Hyperlipidemia |
| Dyslipidemia | Orthopedic disorders | Cardiorespiratory disease |
| Hypertension | Urinary tract disorders | etc. |
Obesity Animal Model Development
- Diet Induced Obesity Animal Model Development
We formulate diets with a higher content of cholesterol and fat compared to carbohydrates and proteins, effectively increasing body weight and lipid levels in animals. Taking into account the specific nutritional requirements of different animal species, ages, and research objectives, BioVenic offers diet-induced obesity animal model solutions tailored to your research needs.
Table. 2 Diet induced obesity large animal models
| Animal Types | Nutritional Methods | Aims | Indicators |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pigs | HFD/ high-fiber diet | To elaborate interactions between nutrition, gut microbiota and host health | Cholesterol, HDL, LDL, triglycerides, glucose, CRP, urea, creatinine, gamma GT, GPT, GOT, AP, cecal and colonic microbiota, SCFA |
| Pigs | HFD alone or supplemented with probiotics and ω3-fatty acids | To analyse the effect of a HFD on brain monoaminergic neurotransmitters and neuropeptides involved in the regulation of appetite in young pigs | Weight gain, ADG, food intake, monoaminergic neurotransmitters, neuropeptide profile |
| Pigs | HFD | To determine impacts of the HFD feeding on the expression of mRNA of selenoproteins and obesity-related genes in pigs | T3, T4, TNF-α, IL-6, LEPR, abundance of selenoprotein mRNA, mRNA levels of obesity-related genes |
| Cloned and non-cloned domestic pigs | High-far-high-energy diet, either restricted or ad libitum | To investigate the effect of high-far-high-energy diet on cloned and non-cloned domestic pigs of both lean and obese phenotype and to evaluate if the lean cloned pigs had a lower inter-individual variation as compared with non-cloned pigs | Weight, body-fat, microbiota in feces, terminal ileum and colon |
| Dogs | HFD | To test the hypothesis that high-fat feeding reduces the efficiency of insulin uptake from plasma into the CNS | Energy intake, body composition, changes of relative adiposity, 24-h insulin levels, insulin sensitivity, CNS insulin transport, index of 24-h brain insulin levels |
| Cats | HFD | To evaluate the effects of a HFD on FA metabolism and distribution in obese cats | Body weight, AST, ALT, FA composition, histological observation of livers |
- Genetic Obesity Animal Models Development
We provide solutions for developing genetic obesity animal models using monogenic or transgenic rodent and non-rodent models. These models, whether based on spontaneous mutations or transgenic modifications, help evaluate potential therapies by targeting specific in vivo pathways or targets.
Click the following link for more information on our genetic research platform.
- Chemical Agents Induced Obesity Animal Model Development
By administering substances like gold thioglucose and monosodium glutamate, researchers can induce obesity in rodents through hypothalamic injury. Considering variations in animal age and species, it is crucial to determine the appropriate dosage and administration method. With our expertise, we can assist you in developing obesity animal models induced by chemical agents.
- Surgical Obesity Animal Models Development
Surgical models, involving damage to the arcuate nucleus (ARC), paraventricular nucleus (PVN), ventromedial hypothalamus (VMH), or ovariectomy, offer reliable and cost-effective options. This approach avoids the widespread effects of cytotoxic chemicals on other organs. However, it presents challenges such as the technical expertise required, post-operative processes, and a higher mortality rate. BioVenic offers a broad range of products and services to help you measure relevant parameters and enhance surgical obesity animal model development.
- Obesity Animal Models Validation
To assess metabolic changes, determining total body fat levels (including cholesterol, HDL cholesterol, LDL cholesterol, and triglycerides), fatty-acid synthase (FAS) activity, adipose tissue weight, and metabolic enzyme expression is crucial. Supplementing these measurements with evaluations of locomotor activity, beta-3 receptors, and regulatory peptide hormones like leptin provides additional evidence for anti-obesity activity studies. BioVenic offers an extensive range of assays, including ELISA, HPLC, metabolomics, etc., enabling you to validate obesity animal models and assess the effectiveness of your drugs or feed additives in reducing obesity-related symptoms.
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Diabetes Animal Model Development Applications
- Discovery of Novel Antiobesity Agents for Animals
Due to the high failure rate of conventional approaches like diet and behavioral therapy, there is increasing interest in novel antiobesity agents. To evaluate the therapeutic efficacy of new targets, it is essential to conduct preclinical (in vitro, in vivo chemical, and biological evaluations) and clinical studies. Obesity animal models provide a valuable method for researchers interested in discovering novel antiobesity agents.
- Evaluation of Nutritional Strategies for Animals
Obesity poses a life-threatening metabolic disorder for companion animals. Numerous feed formulations and additives have been developed to help manage their weight. By utilizing obesity animal models, we can effectively assess the efficacy of these nutritional strategies, providing a strong theoretical basis for developing novel approaches to address obesity.
- Mechanism Research
Obesity is closely associated with conditions like insulin resistance, metabolic syndrome, and metabolic diseases such as Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus (T2DM). Through the study of heat production, glucose metabolism, and feeding behavior in obesity models under different conditions, we can gain valuable insights into the mechanisms underlying various metabolic diseases. This research serves as a foundation for further investigations and the development of effective treatments.
Why Choose Us?
We offer diverse modeling approaches tailored to the specific animal species, ensuring that we meet your research requirements effectively.
Our team is dedicated to providing meticulous technical support to alleviate the time-consuming aspects of obesity animal modeling, allowing you to focus on your research goals.
Obesity animal models have a broad spectrum of applications, facilitating various studies in animal nutrition. These models enable you to investigate and analyze different aspects of obesity and its related impacts on animals.
Our comprehensive services encompass the entire process, from developing obese animal models to measuring research indicators utilizing these models.
With BioVenic's expertise and the expertise of our research partners, who have extensive experience and technical knowledge in the field of obesity model animal development, we offer a one-stop solution. The application of our animal models of obesity includes the discovery of novel anti-obesity agents in animals, the evaluation of nutritional strategies in animals, and the study of the mechanisms of obesity in animals. If you have any requirements related to the development of animal models for obesity, please contact us. We are here to assist you with our dedicated resources and expertise in this area.