The characterization of the ZDSD rat continues to move forward.  Recent data demonstrates that the ZDSD Rat is an excellent model for the discovery and development of therapies targeting complications associated with Metabolic Syndrome.  In February 2008 the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Food and Drug Administration and the Center for Drug Evaluation and Research issued a Guidance for Industry regarding Diabetes Mellitus:  Developing Drugs and Therapeutic Biologics for Treatment and Prevention.  Paraphrasing, the Guidance:

Metabolic Syndrome is defined using a cluster of laboratory and clinical markers that identify increased risk for cardiovascular disease and type II diabetes.  As much as 25% of the adult American population can be classified with this Syndrome depending on the definition of Metabolic Syndrome used.  A number of therapies exist that treat one or more of the components of the syndrome.  Therapeutic products intended for the treatment of Metabolic Syndrome should ideally normalize or improve all of the components of the syndrome and ultimately prevent the development of type II diabetes and reduce cardiovascular risk.

Key to the development of therapies targeting Metabolic Syndrome is an animal model that spontaneously develops the complications associated with the syndrome.  The ZDSD rat currently available for sale from PreClinOmics is such a model.  Current data demonstrates that the ZDSD spontaneously develops obesity, insulin resistance, hyperglycemia, and elevated lipids.  These factors ultimately lead to the development of Type II diabetes in the model as well.  Dietary manipulation can synchronize the expression of these complications.  Studies are ongoing to characterize the cardiovascular risk factors.

Interested researchers are encouraged to contact us to inquire about receiving small cohorts of animals for feasibility studies.  These animals are provided in exchange for payment of shipping charges and control data that may be used to further understand the value of the model.

In brief, male ZDSD rats, maintained on LabDiet 5008, will spontaneously exhibit the following (click to enlarge graphs):

Obesity:

 

Hyperglycemia:

 

Insulin Resistance:

 

Hypertriglyceridemia:

 

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