Modeling type 2 diabetes in rats by administering tacrolimus

The prevalence of diabetes is rapidly increasing. The current number of diagnosed cases is ~422 million, expected to reach ~640 million by 2040. Type 2 diabetes, which constitutes ~95% of the cases, is characterized by insulin resistance and a progressive loss of β-cell function. Despite intense research efforts, no treatments are yet able to cure the disease or halt its progression. Since all existing animal models of type 2 diabetes have serious drawbacks, one is needed that represents the complete pathogenesis, is low cost and non-obese, and can be developed relatively quickly. The aim of this study was to evaluate a low-cost, non-obese model of type 2 diabetes engendered by administering a daily high dose of tacrolimus (an immunosuppressant) to Wistar rats for 4 weeks. The biochemical and antioxidant markers were measured at basal and after the 4-week tacrolimus treatment. At week 4, the values of these parameters closely resembled those observed in human type 2 diabetes, including fasting blood glucose at 141.5 mg/dL, blood glucose greater than 200 mg/dL at 120 min of the glucose tolerance test, blood glucose at varied levels in the insulin tolerance test, and elevated levels of cholesterol and triglyceride. The tacrolimus treatment produced hypoinsulinemia and sustained hyperglycemia, probably explained by the alteration found in pancreatic β-cell function and morphology. This model should certainly be instrumental for evaluating possible type 2 diabetes treatments, and for designing new immunosuppressants that do not cause pancreatic damage, type 2 diabetes, or new-onset diabetes after transplantation (NODAT).

Evaluation of risk factors in the development of type 2 diabetes in a Mexican population

Type 2 diabetes (T2D), which causes many adverse effects such as endothelial dysfunction and cardiovascular disease, affects approximately 425 million people worldwide. However, about half have not yet been diagnosed. For what is recommended the use of screening tools to identify individuals at risk for T2D or in the early stages of the disease in order to impement preventive strategies or early treatment. According to a widely used survey, the FINDRISC scale, a hereditary family history of T2D (FH-T2D) is as important a risk factor as having had high glucose levels. The aim of the present study was to carry out non-probabilistic sampling in a Mexican population to evaluate key factors in the development of diabetes. The participants were divided into three groups: with and without FH-T2D and diagnosed with T2D. A comparison of the groups with and without FH-T2D revealed higher values in the former for body mass index (BMI: 24.5 vs 21.9 kg/m²), glycosylated hemoglobin [Hb1Ac: 5.775% (39 mmol/mol) vs 4.825% (29 mmol/mol)] and triglycerides (164.18 vs 68.12 mg/dL), and a lower value for the BH₄/BH₂ index (0.7846 vs 1.6117). These results indicate significant metabolic alterations and endothelial dysfunction for the FH-T2D group. This strongly suggests the need to screen individuals with a family history of inherited T2D based on their level of HbA1c, triglycerides and BH₄.