ESTANDARIZACIÓN DEL MODELO DE DIABETES EXPERIMENTAL INDUCIDA POR ESTREPTOZOTOCINA EN RATAS SPRAGUE-DAWLEY

Abstract

INTRODUCTION: Streptozotocin is an antibiotic used exclusively for the experimental induction of type 1 diabetes. It is widely used in investigation with several variations of techniques which need standardization.
OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the experimental model of type 1 diabetes induced by Streptozotocin in our laboratory.
METHODS: Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into 3 dose groups of 40, 50 and 65 mg/Kg of streptozotocin and a control group. Parameters such as fasting glycaemia, diuresis, water consumption, food, body weight and plasma levels of triglycerides and cholesterol were evaluated. Also they were followed over a month to assess survival, glucose, triglycerides and plasma cholesterol levels. Finally, histological sections of the pancreas were performed.
RESULTS: Animals in the group that received the lowest dose, showed similar values of glycaemia compared to the control group; the remaining groups showed significant differences compared with the control group, and also increased ingestion of water, food and diuresis accompanied by weight loss. However, the group that received the higher dose presented a 100% of mortality, while the intermediate dose group reached only 29%.
CONCLUSION: A single dose of streptozotocin 50 mg/Kg in Sprague-Dawley rats maintained hyperglycemia levels above 200 mg/dL for a month, with high survival rates and unmodified cholesterol and triglyceride levels. Histological analysis of the pancreas showed an important reduction in β cells in the pancreatic islets in diabetic animals compared with the control group.