Volume: 5, 2026
5th International PhD Students’ Conference at the University of Life Sciences in Lublin, Poland:
ENVIRONMENT – PLANT – ANIMAL – PRODUCT
Abstract number: A010
DOI: https://doi.org/10.24326/ICDSUPL5.A010
Published online: 22 April 2026
Application of in vivo models of hyperglycemic state in metabolic research
Petro Fedyshyn*, Marharyta Melhun, Iryna Nekrylova and Liliia Kalachniuk
Department of Biochemistry, National University of Life and Environmental Sciences of Ukraine, 15 Heroiv Oborony St., 03041, Kyiv, Ukraine
* Corresponding author: fedishin_petro@ukr.net
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), obesity has reached the proportions of a global non-communicable epidemic. Clinically, obesity is classified as a chronic, relapsing disease characterized by excessive adipose tissue accumulation. It serves as a primary risk factor for the development of comorbidities, most notably type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). A concerning negative trend has been documented: based on the latest 2022 WHO data, 14% of adults aged 18 and older were affected by T2DM, reflecting a 7% increase compared to 1990. In light of these findings, the development of novel therapeutic agents and metabolic regulation strategies for hyperglycemic states represents a highly relevant and critical area of global research. Furthermore, the utilization of animal models in preclinical studies remains a fundamental and regulatory-mandated stage in the validation of novel therapeutics. Herein, we examine the most relevant and prevalent animal models of induced hyperglycemia utilized within research institutions in Ukraine.
Chemical induction of a T2DM-like hyperglycemic state is typically achieved in rats and mice (predominantly Wistar and C57BL/6J strains) through the administration of subdiabetogenic doses of alloxan or streptozotocin (STZ). A primary limitation of this approach is that clinical T2DM is conventionally characterized by insulin resistance followed by a relative, rather than absolute, deficiency in insulin secretion. To address this, alloxan or STZ is occasionally co-administered with nicotinamide, which serves to partially protect pancreatic β-cells from the cytotoxic effects of these diabetogenic agents.
Dietary induction of a T2DM-associated hyperglycemic state is established in C57BL/6J mice utilizing a high-fat diet (HFD). Frequently, HFD feeding is combined with low-dose STZ administration to generate the HFD/STZ animal model of T2DM. In this paradigm, animals are maintained on an HFD to induce hyperinsulinemia and insulin resistance, followed by the administration of a low dose of STZ. This protocol precipitates a gradual reduction in pancreatic β-cell mass and compromises insulin secretion, thereby closely mimicking the pathophysiology of human T2DM. Depending on the extent of residual β-cell mass, the HFD/STZ combination effectively serves as a model for the late stages of the disease. Theoretically, a hyperglycemic state can also be induced surgically (via partial pancreatectomy, bariatric surgery, or renal denervation); however, such methodologies necessitate highly qualified veterinary personnel, specialized surgical facilities, and intensive postoperative care. Alternatively, the utilization of genetic models of hyperglycemia (e.g., db/db and ob/ob mice, or OSHR and ZDF rats) requires the procurement of these specific strains from certified international suppliers, which significantly impacts both the financial constraints and the timeline of the experimental study.
Keywords: hyperglycemic state; mice; rats
How to cite
Fedyshyn P., Melhun M., Nekrylova I., Kalachniuk L., 2026. Application of in vivo models of hyperglycemic state in metabolic research. In: 5th International PhD Students’ Conference at the University of Life Sciences in Lublin, Poland: Environment – Plant – Animal – Product. https://doi.org/10.24326/ICDSUPL5.A010