Affiliations 

  • 1 Department of Basic Medical Sciences, Kulliyyah of Pharmacy, International Islamic University Malaysia, Sultan Ahmad Shah Street, Kuantan 25200, Pahang, Malaysia
  • 2 Pharmacognosy Research Group, Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Kulliyyah of Pharmacy, International Islamic University Malaysia, Sultan Ahmad Shah Street, Kuantan 25200, Pahang, Malaysia
  • 3 School of Biosciences & Technology, VIT University, Vellore 632014, India
  • 4 Kulliyah of Allied Health Science, International Islamic University Malaysia, Sultan Ahmad Shah Street, Kuantan 25200, Pahang, Malaysia
  • 5 Pharmacognosy Group, Department of Medicinal Chemistry, Biomedical Centre, Uppsala University, Box 574, SE-751 23 Uppsala, Sweden
Exp Anim, 2019 Nov 06;68(4):407-416.
PMID: 31118344 DOI: 10.1538/expanim.18-0168

Abstract

Metabolic syndrome is a cluster including hyperglycaemia, obesity, hypertension, and hypertriglyceridaemia as a result of biochemical and physiological alterations and can increase the risk of cardiovascular disease and diabetes. Fundamental research on this disease requires validated animal models. One potential animal model that is rapidly gaining in popularity is zebrafish (Danio rerio). The use of zebrafish as an animal model conveys several advantages, including high human genetic homology, transparent embryos and larvae that allow easier visualization. This review discusses how zebrafish models contribute to the development of metabolic syndrome studies. Different diseases in the cluster of metabolic syndrome, such as hyperglycaemia, obesity, diabetes, and hypertriglyceridaemia, have been successfully studied using zebrafish; and the model is promising for hypertension and cardiovascular metabolic-related diseases due to its genetic similarity to mammals. Genetic mutation, chemical induction, and dietary alteration are among the tools used to improve zebrafish models. This field is expanding, and thus, more effective and efficient techniques are currently developed to fulfil the increasing demand for thorough investigations.

* Title and MeSH Headings from MEDLINE®/PubMed®, a database of the U.S. National Library of Medicine.