Animal models of obesity in rodents. An integrative review

Abstract

PURPOSE: To perform an integrative review of the main animal disease models in rodents used for obesity. METHODS: Research was conducted in the CAPES Portal database using the following keywords “obesity animal models, diet and rodents”, published between the years 2010 to 2016. We found 108 articles, of which 19 were selected and analyzed in full for this study. RESULTS: Larger part of publications occurred in the last 6 years, the rats (n = 10) were used in the same proportion mice (n = 10). The choice of male animals (n = 18) and age greater than 21 days (n = 17) showed a major highlight. The greater than 5 week follow-up period (n = 18) was the most applied. A High Fat Diet was the most used in studies (n = 18). CONCLUSIONS: Male rodents continue to be considered the species most used in experimental studies to induce obesity, also was found variations of age to the beginning of the experiment. For the most part are follow-up time studies along with the use of High Fat Diet.