An Experimental Model of Diet-Induced Metabolic Syndrome in Rabbit: Methodological Considerations, Development, and AssessmentÓscar Julián Arias-Mutis 1,2,3, Patricia Genovés 1,2,3, Conrado J. Calvo 1,2,4, Ana Díaz 5, Germán Parra 2,3, Luis Such-Miquel 6, Luis Such 2, Antonio Alberola 2, Francisco Javier Chorro 1,3, Manuel Zarzoso 6
1CIBERCV, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, 2Department of Physiology, Universitat de València, 3INCLIVA, 4Department of Electronic Engineering, Universidad Politécnica de Valencia, 5UCIM, Universitat de València, 6Department of Physiotherapy, Universitat de València
We describe methods to develop an experimental model of diet-induced metabolic syndrome (MetS) in rabbits using a high-fat, high-sucrose diet. Animals developed central obesity, mild hypertension, pre-diabetes, and dyslipidemia, thus reproducing the main components of human MetS. This chronic model will allow acquisition of knowledge underlying mechanisms of disease progression.
