Characterization of DIO Model is Refined

JAX® NOTES Issue 502, Summer 2006

The C57BL/6J (B6) male mouse is the most commonly used model of diet-induced obesity (DIO). Male B6 mice have many of the same obesity phenotypes as do humans, including visceral adiposity, insulin resistance, hyperinsulinemia, hyperleptinemia, and leptin resistance (Petro et al. 2004; Rossmeisl et al. 2003; Van Heek et al. 1997; Surwit et al. 1995).

We recently completed characterizing the growth curves (Fig. 1), blood glucose levels (Fig. 2), and percent body fat (Fig. 3) of B6 males placed on standard DIO regimens. Groups of B6 males were weaned onto a 6% chow diet (LabDiet® 5K52) when four weeks old and switched to either one of two high fat diets (D12451 or D12492) or to the protein-matched control diet (D12450B) (all available from Research Diets, Inc., Table 1) when six weeks old. The two high fat diets are those most frequently requested of our DIO Service. Throughout the study, the mice had ad libitum access to food and water and were housed 8 or 10 per cage.

We hope this new information helps you better design your diabetes and obesity research.

To request a quote for a DIO study using our standard protocols or a custom protocol, call 800-422-MICE (6423), e-mail jaxservices@jax.org, or complete the online JAX® Services Request Form.


References

Petro AE, Cotter J, Cooper DA, Peters JC, Surwit SJ, Surwit RS. 2004. Fat, carbohydrate, and calories in the development of diabetes and obesity in the C57BL/6J mouse. Metabolism 53:454-7.

Rossmeisl M, Rim JS, Koza RA, Kozak LP. 2003. Variation in type 2 diabetes--related traits in mouse strains susceptible to diet-induced obesity. Diabetes 52:1958-66.

Surwit RS, Feinglos MN, Rodin J, Sutherland A, Petro AE, Opara EC, Kuhn CM, Rebuffe-Scrive M. 1995. Differential effects of fat and sucrose on the development of obesity and diabetes in C57BL/6J and A/J mice. Metabolism 44:645-51.

Van Heek M, Compton DS, France CF, Tedesco RP, Fawzi AB, Graziano MP, Sybertz EJ, Strader CD, Davis HR Jr. 1997. Diet-induced obese mice develop peripheral, but not central, resistance to leptin. J Clin Invest 99:385-90.