Characterization of Enlarged Kidneys and Their Potential for Inducing Diabetes in DEK Rats.

The kidneys participate in the regulation of systemic glucose metabolism via gluconeogenesis, insulin degradation, and the tubular reabsorption of glucose. The present study characterized rats from a strain of a novel type 2 diabetes model with enlarged kidneys (DEK). Histological and biochemical analyses of DEK rats were performed to assess the relationships between their kidneys and hyperglycemia.

Empagliflozin ameliorates symptoms of diabetes and renal tubular dysfunction in a rat model of diabetes with enlarged kidney (DEK).

Background: Sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 (SGLT2) inhibitors are widely used to reduce hyperglycemia. The present study investigated the effects of a SGLT2 inhibitor, empagliflozin, on hyperglycemia in a novel rat model of non-obesity type 2 diabetes with enlarged kidney (DEK).

Methods: Male DEK rats with non-fasting blood glucose concentrations ≤300 mg/dl and >300 mg/dl were classified as nondiabetic and diabetic, respectively.

Cellular Expression and Subcellular Localization of Wwox Protein During Testicular Development and Spermatogenesis in Rats.

A well-known putative tumor suppressor WW domain-containing oxidoreductase (Wwox) is highly expressed in hormonally regulated tissues and is considered important for the normal development and function of reproductive organs. In this study, we investigated the cellular and subcellular localization of Wwox in normal testes during postnatal days 0-70 using Western blotting and immunohistochemistry. Wwox is expressed in testes at all ages.

Characterization of Novel Nonobese Type 2 Diabetes Rat Model with Enlarged Kidneys.

A variety of animal models of diabetes mellitus (DM) are required to study the genetics and pathophysiology of DM. We established a novel rat strain showing nonobese type 2 diabetes with enlarged kidneys from the LEA.PET- congenic strain and named it Diabetes with Enlarged Kidney (DEK).