ABSTRACT
Overt diabetes mellitus or carbohydrate impairment occurs in numerous nonhuman primate species. Triglycerides and very-low-density lipoproteins (VLDL) levels increase with diabetes. Carbohydrate impairment has been most accurately assessed in both humans and primates with an intravenous glucose tolerance test (IV-GTT) since the rate of glucose clearance after an intravenous bolus is amenable to a mathematical assessment. Triglycerides and very-low-density lipoproteins (VLDL) levels increase with diabetes. Cholesterol concentrations are as variable in diabetic primates as in diabetic humans. Certain pathologic sequelae are associated with diabetes and are of great importance in assessing the potential value of diabetic models. Diabetes is most commonly induced by ablation of beta cells, either surgically or with beta cell toxic agents. VLDL became the major lipoprotein fraction as diabetes developed; LDL increased and high density lipoprotein (HDL) decreased.
