Obesity and metabolic syndrome

Animals have contributed significantly to the understanding of human biochemistry, physiology, pathophysiology, and pharmacology. Different models have been developed, characterized, and then successfully used for the development of preventive measures or cures for human diseases. One of the important human conditions is metabolic syndrome, and this can be successfully mimicked in rodents. We have already described the major characteristics of the most common rodent models used in metabolic syndrome research [1]. Here, we will revisit the important animal models for metabolic syndrome research and then discuss the limited translatability of these models to human trials.