The diet-induced obesity DIO mouse model represents a physiological approach to studying efficacy of novel compounds against obesity and related metabolic disorders in a preclinical research setting. Maintaining C57BL/6N mice on a Western-style high-fat diet (HFD) comprising 60% fat content, the DIO mouse model develops many hallmarks of metabolic disease such as obesity, insulin sensitivity, elevated fasting blood glucose and insulin resistance. Additionally, using various behavioral phenotyping protocols, at InnoSer we have demonstrated that HF-fed mice show substantial reduction in general activity, nest building capacity as well as memory performance (e.g., during behavioral tests such as Morris Water Maze [MWM]).  

Depending on study timelines, this model can be adapted to study varying stages of metabolic dysfunction, including pre-diabetes, type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and more severe insulin resistance in the setting of Western diet and obesity. Unlike genetic metabolic models such as the db/db mouse model, the DIO model reflects lifestyle-induced obesity seen in humans, providing you with a highly translational mouse model to study efficacy of novel anti-obesity strategies. Combined with InnoSer’s expertise in behavioral neuroscience studies, the DIO mouse model is also suitable to evaluate efficacy of compounds against metabolic disease-associated cognitive dysfunctions which is currently an emerging area of research within the metabolic disease field. Contact us today to discuss how this model can support your research objectives in preclinical metabolic health research.