ABSTRACT
Defects in carbohydrate metabolism are the major focus of research because of the extremely high incidence of diabetes mellitus (DM) and obesity in the United States population. Animal models are very powerful tools with which to understand the physiology and pathophysiology of metabolic disease. Rodents, canines, and nonhuman primates have been used extensively to understand how carbohydrate is metabolized and glucose homeostasis is maintained. The endocrine pancreas plays an essential role in the minute regulation of glucose homeostasis. Insulin release by the ß cell is very sensitive to changes in plasma glucose concentration. Diabetes and obesity are the most common causes of defects in carbohydrate metabolism in humans; therefore, several animal models have been developed to mimic these conditions. Several nondiabetic animal species may acquire type 2 DM associated with obesity when they are exposed to energy-abundant diets.
