Diabetes mellitus is the most common endocrine disorder of humans. There are over one million newly diagnosed patients in the U.S. each year. Diabetes is characterized by abnormalities of carbohydrate and lipid metabolism and long-term complications including diabetes, retinopathy, nephropathy, neuropathy, and premature atherosclerosis. More than 90 percent of the patients with this disease are categorized as having non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (NIDDM) or type II diabetes. NIDDM is a disorder resulting from varied degrees of insulin resistance, which is often associated with impaired insulin secretion. The incidence of NIDDM increases with age and approximately 80 percent of type II diabetic patients are overweight. Insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (IDDM) or type I diabetes is a disorder caused by the destruction of insulin-producing endocrine cells within the pancreas and currently considered to be the result of an autoimmune process. As a result to the insulin production deficit, long-term complications invariably occur to some extent in most patients.

The lack of suitable large animal models has hindered investigations in the field of diabetes, particularly in the study of NIDDM and the complications of diabetes. Miniature swine have many characteristics similar to humans that make them a suitable species to model human diseases. Miniature swine are omnivores, easy to handle, raise few ethical considerations, offer similar size to adult humans, have several organ systems very similar to humans in term of anatomy, physiology and metabolism, and test compounds can be administered through all routes of delivery, including transcutaneous delivery systems (patches).

Insulin dependent diabetes can be induced in miniature swine using streptozotocin or alloxan. The induced IDDM closely mimics the type 1 diabetes of humans. Because of the similarities between swine and humans, the induced diabetes can be monitored and controlled using the same protocols as in humans. Alternatively, pancreatectomized miniature swine have been recognized as an excellent model for studying the vascular changes associated with type 1 diabetes. Miniature and domestic swine are also very involved in investigations aiming at permanently curing type I diabetes using whole pancreas or islet cell allo and xenograph transplantation. Xenotransplantation may represent a solution to human organ shortage, and pig pancreas may be a suitable source because of the similarities between human and porcine insulin.

Sinclair offers a new induced model of type 2 diabetes with dyslipidemia in miniature swine. The dyslipidemia observed is very similar to the one of diabetic humans and early atherosclerosis lesions have also been detected. The similarities of the lipid metabolism, vascular anatomy, capacity and collateral circulation of the coronary arteries between swine and humans make this animal model even more attractive. Miniature swine have been used extensively for research in diabetes, hypertension, hypercholesterolemia and atherosclerosis in humans.

Sinclair is experienced in developing and using large animal models in a contract research environment. We guarantee absolute confidentiality, emphasize open and timely communication with clients, and provide quick response and rapid turnaround times.