Diabetic nephropathy represents the major long-term microvascular complication of type 1 and type 2 diabetes mellitus and affects very large numbers throughout the world. To further elucidate the pathogenesis and to develop new therapies for this complication, Ace Therapeutics offers customized animal models mimicking the complex pathophysiology observed in the complication.

The Burden of Diabetic Nephropathy

Diabetic nephropathy is one of the biggest concerns for both patients and healthcare systems around the world, being among the major causes of morbidity and mortality due to diabetes. This insidious complication is a continuum in renal dysfunction, often culminating into ESRD-that is a devastating outcome when the quality of life is drastically reduced and the risk of mortality is significantly increased. Animal models should be developed to further the understanding of diabetic nephropathy and the development of effective therapies.

Fig. 1. Overview of the pathogenesis of diabetic nephropathy. (Chen J, et al., 2022)

Our Methods for Diabetic Nephropathy Modeling

At Ace Therapeutics, we specialize in customizing animal models of various diabetic complications, including diabetic nephropathy. Our team of scientists develops animal models of diabetic nephropathy by chemically inducing or utilizing spontaneous diabetes models.

• Chemical-Induced Diabetic Nephropathy Models
  We typically use streptozotocin (STZ), a highly selective pancreatic β-cell destroyer, to induce type 1 diabetes-like condition. We then combine a high-sugar, high-fat diet to model diabetic nephropathy. The diabetic nephropathy model is characterized by a progressive decline in renal function and typical histopathological changes, including glomerular hypertrophy, thylakoid dilatation, and extracellular matrix protein accumulation.
• Genetic Models of Diabetic Nephropathy
  We also provide our clients with spontaneous diabetic nephropathy models that closely resemble the natural history of the disease. Genetically engineered animals, such as ob/ob mice, KK-Ay mice, db/db mice, and OLETF rats exhibit characteristic signs of diabetic nephropathy and spontaneously develop the condition.

Our Diabetic Nephropathy In Vivo Models

We have established several in vivo models of diabetic nephropathy, including:

Nutritional Animal Models of Diabetic Nephropathy

• Db/db mouse fed a high-protein diet: a mouse model of diabetic nephropathy and glomerular hyperfiltration

Genetic Models of Diabetic Nephropathy

• 0.3% salt supplemented/uni-nephrectomized SDT fatty rat: a rat model of diabetic nephropathy and GFR decline
• The SDT fatty rat: a cardio-renal model of diabetic nephropathy associated with cardiovascular dysfunction

Our Services for Diabetic Nephropathy Research

Applying the appropriate technology to analyze animal models of diabetic nephropathy is critical to studying the efficacy of potential treatments. We offer our clients complete biochemistry assays and histology services to fully characterize renal lesions, providing a comprehensive view of disease progression. Our testing services include:

• Body composition measurement
• Blood glucose test
• Analysis of renal function: serum creatinine (sCr), blood urea nitrogen (BUN), estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR), albumin-to-creatinine ratio (ACR), 24h urine protein quantification
• Renal histopathologic analysis: HE, PAS, and Masson staining
• Immunohistochemistry analysis
• Gene and protein expression analysis
• Customized tests

For additional information about how our services can be customized to meet your exact needs, please contact us. Leverage our extensive experience in utilizing animal models of diabetic nephropathy and to optimize and expedite your drug development program for diabetic nephropathy.

Reference

1. Chen J, et al. (2022) Immune responses in diabetic nephropathy: Pathogenic mechanisms and therapeutic target. Frontiers in Immunology. 13: 958790.

• In Vivo Modeling of Diabetic Wound
• In Vivo Modeling of Diabetic Atherosclerosis
• In Vivo Modeling of Diabetic Cataract
• In Vivo Modeling of Diabetic Retinopathy
• In Vivo Modeling of Diabetic Neuropathy

• Mouse Models
• Assay Kits
• Antibodies
• Cell Lines & Lysates
• Proteins & Peptides
• Inhibitors & Activators