Limitations of Leptin in Rodent Models

The most widely used rodent models of type 2 diabetes do not accurately reflect the disease as it occurs in humans, according to a new review by Physicians Committee scientists.

Although rodents deficient in the leptin receptor develop obesity and diabetes-like symptoms, this is the result of genetic mutations that are not relevant to human type 2 diabetes.

Because of the substantial differences between animal models of diabetes and the human disease, researchers must recognize the limitations of the leptin receptor-based rodent models and pursue human-relevant methods if they are to understand and ultimately manage type 2 diabetes in human patients.