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Zebrafish (Danio rerio) as a Novel Model in Diabetes Research: Applications and Disease Induction Methods
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Seyed Esmaeil Khoshnam    , Kaveh Rahimi |
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Abstract: (3 Views) |
Background and Aims: Zebrafish (Danio rerio) are increasingly recognized as valuable animal models in biomedical research, particularly in the study of diabetes. This article reviews the applications of zebrafish in diabetes research, the methods used in these studies, and techniques for inducing diabetes in zebrafish.
Methods: A literature search was conducted using relevant keywords in reputable databases, including PubMed/Medline, Scopus, ScienceDirect, Google Scholar, Cochrane Library, ISI Web of Knowledge, Embase, and SID.
Results: Its significant genetic similarity to humans (~70% conserved genes), along with homologs for 84% of human disease-related genes, and advantages such as small size, rapid reproduction, and genetic manipulability, make it a suitable alternative to traditional laboratory models like mice and rats. Diabetes, as a complex metabolic disorder, has been studied in zebrafish in various contexts, including glucose homeostasis, pancreatic beta-cell function, insulin signaling pathways, and oxidative stress. Different diabetes induction methods in zebrafish—such as streptozotocin (STZ) and alloxan administration, genetic modifications, and dietary manipulations (high-glucose diets)—enable modeling of both type 1 and type 2 diabetes. Furthermore, this model is widely used for anti-diabetic drug screening and toxicity assessment of pharmaceutical compounds.
Conclusion: Zebrafish serve as an effective model for enhancing our understanding of diabetes, aiding in the development of new drugs, and improving therapeutic strategies.
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| Keywords: Zebrafish, Diabetes, Animal model, Beta cells, Insulin resistance, Streptozotocin |
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Type of Study: Review |
Subject:
General
Received: 2025/05/6 | Revised: 2025/12/5 | Accepted: 2025/12/5
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