Animal Model of Gestational Diabetes Mellitus with Pathophysiological Resemblance to the Human Condition Induced by Multiple Factors (Nutritional, Pharmacological, and Stress)‎ in Rats

Abstract EN

This study attempts to develop an experimental gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) animal model in female Sprague-Dawley rats.

Rats were fed with high fat sucrose diet, impregnated, and induced with Streptozotocin and Nicotinamide on gestational day 0 (D0).

Sleeping patterns of the rats were also manipulated to induce stress, a lifestyle factor that contributes to GDM.

Rats were tested for glycemic parameters (glucose, C-peptide, and insulin), lipid profiles (total cholesterol, triglycerides, HDL, and LDL), genes affecting insulin signaling (IRS-2, AKT-1, and PCK-1), glucose transporters (GLUT-2 and GLUT-4), proinflammatory cytokines (IL-6, TNF-α), and antioxidants (SOD, CAT, and GPX) on D6 and D21.

GDM rats showed possible insulin resistance as evidenced by high expression of proinflammatory cytokines, PCK-1 and CRP.

Furthermore, low levels of IRS-2 and AKT-1 genes and downregulation of GLUT-4 from the initial to final phases indicate possible defect of insulin signaling.

GDM rats also showed an impairment of antioxidant status and a hyperlipidemic state.

Additionally, GDM rats exhibited significantly higher body weight and blood glucose and lower plasma insulin level and C-peptide than control.

Based on the findings outlined, the current GDM animal model closely replicates the disease state in human and can serve as a reference for future investigations.