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Review
. 2019 Dec 14;7(1):103-114.
doi: 10.5455/javar.2020.g399. eCollection 2020 Mar.

A systematic review on different models of inducing obesity in animals: Advantages and limitations

Joseph Bagi Suleiman  1 , Mahaneem Mohamed  1 , Ainul Bahiyah Abu Bakar  1
Affiliations
Review

A systematic review on different models of inducing obesity in animals: Advantages and limitations

Joseph Bagi Suleiman et al. J Adv Vet Anim Res. .

Abstract

Several animals have been in the limelight of basic research associated with metabolic diseases like obesity. Obesity can be considered as a significant public health concern in the world. It raises the chances for a variety of disease conditions that includes diabetes, hypertension, liver disease, and cancers, which, in turn, decreases the overall lifespan of adult men and women. The World Health Organization has considered obesity as a global epidemic. Researchers have made several attempts to classify human obesity, but none have been successful. Animal obesity can be classified based on their etiology; however, till now, no animal model of obesity can replicate models of the human condition, they have only provided clues into the causes, aftermaths, and preventive remedy to human adiposity. Over the years, there are varieties of animal models used to induce obesity. Some of them include monogenic, polygenic, surgical, seasonal, and other models of obesity. Apart from the advantages of these models, most of them are accompanied by limitations. The primary purpose of this review is, therefore, to highlight the several models with their advantages and limitations. By knowing the benefits and limitations of animal models of obesity, researchers may be at liberty to select the appropriate one for the study of obesity.

Keywords: Advantages; limitations; monogenicmodel; obesity; polygenic model; surgical model.

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Figures

Figure 1.
Figure 1.. Summary for the recommended hypotheses on the mechanisms through which obesity can cause several diseases.
Figure 2.
Figure 2.. Schematic diagram showing the obesity models. Legend: 11beta HSD-1: 11beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type 1; AgRP: agouti-related peptide overexpression; ARC: Arcuate Nucleus; C3H: C3H/HeJ mice; CRF: corticotrophin releasing factor; db/db: diabetic mouse; DIO: diet-induced obese; DR: diet resistant; GLUT4: glucose transporters 4; HFD: high-fat diet; HS: high-sucrose; KK: Kuo Kondo; MC3R: melanocortin 3 receptor knockout in mice; MC4R: melanocortin 4 receptor knockout mice; MCH: melanin concentrating hormone; NPY: Neuropeptide-y; NZO: New Zealand Obesity; ob/ob: obesity mouse; OLETF: Otsua Long Evans Tokushima Fatty; POMC/AgRP: Pro-opiomelanocortin/agouti-related peptide knockout mice; POMC: Pro-opiomelanocortin knockout; PVN: Paraventricular Nucleus; s/s mouse; TSOD:Tsumura and Suzuki obesity and diabetes; VMH: Ventromedial Hypothalamus; WDF: Wistar Kyoto fatty; WFR: wistar fatty rat; WHR: Waist-to-Hip Ratio; ZDF: Zucker Diabetic Fatty; ZFR: zucker fatty rats; αMSH: α-melanocyte-stimulating hormone.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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