HYPERTENSIVE DIABETIC RATS IN PHARMACOLOGICAL STUDIES

Since hypertensive disease and diabetes frequently occur simultaneousl y there exists a requirement for animal models where both pathological entities are combined. The streptozotocin (STZ)-spontaneously hyperte nsive rat (STZ-SHR) and the obese Zucker rat are examples of animal mo dels where hypertension and diabetes occur simultaneously. STZ-SHRs de velop a hyperglycaemic syndrome, associated with other biochemical and morphological changes that to some extent approach insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (type 1 diabetes) combined with hypertension. The ob ese (Fa/?) Zucker rat is characterized by the simultaneous occurrence of obesity, hyperglycaemia, hyperinsulinaemia, hyperlipidaemia and mod erate hypertension. As such it approaches the patient with non-insulin -dependent diabetes mellitus (type 2 diabetes) who is simultaneously h ypertensive. Lean (fa/fa) Zucker rats are suitable controls with respe ct to the obese animals. Both animal models (STZ-SHRs and obese Zucker rats) were characterized with respect to their biochemical, morphomet ric and haemodynamic properties. Both models were examined in particul ar with respect to the pharmacological characteristics of their cardio vascular system, as discussed in the present survey. (C) 1996 The Ital ian Pharmacological Society