Animal models utilized in the research of diabetes mellitus--with special reference to insulitis-associated diabetes.

Much experimental data on animal models of diabetes indicate the marked heterogeneity in the pathogenesis of this disease. Conversely, they also indicate that a single causal factor can develop highly diverse phenotypes of diabetes. For insulitis-associated diabetes, the NOD mouse and BB rat are particularly valuable because of the need for more research on the etiology of autoimmune-insulitis and in the search for methods to suppress this self-damaging process. insulitis-associated diabetes in animals including recent steps towards prevention of