ob/ob Obseity Mouse Modeling & Pharmacodynamics Service

Creative Biolabs offers a wide range of services for evaluating the efficacy of anti-obesity drugs. We provide customized solutions, including comprehensive pharmacological assessments, to support your research at every stage.

Introduction

Obesity is a complex, multifactorial disease characterized by excessive fat accumulation, which is associated with various metabolic and cardiovascular disorders, including type 2 diabetes, hypertension, and dyslipidemia. The condition is increasingly prevalent worldwide due to sedentary lifestyles and high-calorie diets, contributing to a significant global health burden. Obesity has become a key focus of medical research, as it contributes to systemic inflammation and insulin resistance. Understanding the underlying mechanisms of obesity can provide insights into novel therapeutic strategies.

Disease Models and Applications

The ob/ob obesity mouse model is one of the most used animal models for studying obesity, diabetes, and metabolic syndrome. This model is genetically deficient in leptin, a hormone that regulates body weight by inhibiting appetite and stimulating energy expenditure. Mice with this genetic defect exhibit a significant increase in body weight and adiposity, as well as alterations in glucose metabolism, insulin resistance, and hyperlipidemia, making it an ideal model for obesity research. However, the ob/ob mouse model has limitations, including a lack of an adaptive immune response, which may not fully replicate human obesity-related comorbidities. Despite these limitations, the model provides valuable insights into the mechanisms of obesity and its associated complications, and it is widely used for testing novel anti-obesity drugs.

• Simulates: The ob/ob obesity mouse model simulates obesity, insulin resistance, hyperlipidemia, and metabolic syndrome. It closely resembles the pathophysiology of human obesity, with significant weight gain, fat accumulation, and endocrine disturbances, including altered leptin and insulin signaling. This model also simulates the inflammatory environment often seen in obesity, including adipose tissue inflammation and systemic metabolic dysregulation.
• Evaluates Drugs: The ob/ob obesity mouse model is used to evaluate a variety of anti-obesity drugs and treatments, including those targeting appetite regulation, insulin sensitivity, lipid metabolism, and inflammation. Drugs being evaluated in this model include leptin receptor agonists, insulin sensitizers, anti-inflammatory agents, and novel compounds that promote weight loss or fat browning. Additionally, this model is used for testing the efficacy of combination therapies targeting multiple pathways involved in obesity-related metabolic disturbances.

Measurements

We offer a range of advanced measurements for evaluating drug efficacy in the ob/ob obesity mouse model, including:

• General observations: body weight, food intake, activity levels, and mortality rate.
• Biochemical markers: serum glucose, insulin levels, lipid profile (e.g., triglycerides, cholesterol), and adipokines (e.g., leptin, adiponectin).
• Immunohistochemistry: assessment of inflammatory markers and immune cell infiltration in adipose tissue and liver.
• Gene/protein expression profiling: via RT-qPCR and Western blot to assess key obesity-related genes and proteins, including leptin, adiponectin, and markers of inflammation (e.g., TNF-α, IL-6).
• Metabolic assays: glucose tolerance test (GTT), insulin tolerance test (ITT), and lipid metabolism assays.
• Histopathological examination: analysis of liver steatosis, adipocyte size, and fat depot distribution via tissue staining and microscopy.

In addition, our team offers support in experimental design, data analysis, and the development of customized models based on specific research needs.

Related Services

In addition to the ob/ob obesity mouse model, we also offer a range of other obesity models induced by different methods. Each model offers unique insights into the pathophysiology of obesity and its complications, allowing for comprehensive drug testing and therapeutic evaluation.

• High-Fat Diet induced Obesity Model
• High-Fat & High-Carbohydrate Diet induced Obesity Model
• Cafeteria Diet induced Obesity Model
• Monosodium Glutamate (MSG) induced Obesity Model

Advantages

• High-Quality Models: Our obesity models are well-established and validated, ensuring reliable and reproducible results.
• Customization: We provide tailored solutions to meet the specific needs of your research, from experimental design to data analysis.
• Advanced Technologies: We utilize cutting-edge technologies for drug evaluation, including advanced metabolic assays and histopathological analysis.
• Comprehensive Support: Our team provides full support at every stage of your project, ensuring effective project execution and successful outcomes.
• Flexibility: We adapt to your timeline and specific requirements, ensuring efficient and smooth project management.
• Customer Collaboration: We work closely with you, offering scientific guidance and continuous communication to guarantee the best results.

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FAQs

1. Q: What is the ob/ob obesity mouse model?

   A: The ob/ob mouse model is a genetically modified mouse that lacks leptin, leading to obesity, insulin resistance, and related metabolic disorders.

2. Q: How does the ob/ob model differ from diet-induced obesity models?

   A: The ob/ob model is genetically predisposed to obesity, while diet-induced models rely on high-fat or high-sugar diets to induce obesity.

3. Q: What are the advantages of using the ob/ob mouse model in obesity research?

   A: It closely mimics human obesity with relevant metabolic and hormonal disturbances, making it a reliable model for testing anti-obesity treatments.

4. Q: What are the limitations of the ob/ob model?

   A: The lack of adaptive immune response in ob/ob mice means it may not fully replicate all aspects of human obesity, particularly immune-related pathologies.

5. Q: Can the ob/ob model be used to evaluate drugs for insulin resistance and diabetes?

   A: Yes, the ob/ob model is frequently used to assess therapies targeting insulin resistance, glucose metabolism, and related conditions such as type 2 diabetes.

Published Data

Fig. 1 Different subcutaneous adipose tissue features between ob/ob and db/db mice.¹

This experiment aimed to compare immune cell infiltration and inflammatory responses in db/db and ob/ob mice. We found significantly increased mRNA expression of Ccl2, Adgre1, and Cd68 in the subcutaneous adipose tissue (SAT) of db/db mice, but no differences in Itgax and Cd163 expression (Fig. 1a). F4/80 immunohistochemistry revealed a 34.5% increase in crown-like structures (CLSs) in db/db mice compared to ob/ob mice, indicating greater macrophage infiltration (Fig. 1b). Proinflammatory cytokines Il1b and Ifng were elevated in db/db mice (Fig. 1c), while Tlr5 was higher in ob/ob mice without correlating to inflammation. The expression of Ptgs2, involved in inflammation, was significantly increased in db/db mice. In the visceral adipose tissue (VAT), only Il6 expression was significantly increased in db/db mice. Additionally, mRNA expression of adipogenesis markers showed a significant reduction in Cebpa in db/db mice, suggesting impaired adipocyte differentiation (Fig. 1d). These results indicate altered inflammation and adipogenesis in db/db mice.

Reference

1. Suriano, Francesco et al. "Novel insights into the genetically obese (ob/ob) and diabetic (db/db) mice: two sides of the same coin." Microbiome vol. 9,1 147. 28 Jun. 2021, DOI:10.1186/s40168-021-01097-8. Distributed under an Open Access license CC BY 4.0, without modification.

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