Objective: To study the characteristics of Goto-Kakizaki(GK) diabetes prone rat-a spontaneous type 2 diabetes mellitusanimal model. Method: Twenty Wistar rats were as a control

the based glucose

body weight

food and water intake of GK rats in 61 rats were monitored continuously since thirteen weeks. At the age of thirty-second weeks

a glucose tolerance test was conducted

stool routine

liver index and kidney index were screened

the content of lipid

renal function and glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c) in plasma were tested as well as a pathological examination of pancreas and kidney was carried out. Result: At the age of twenty-four weeks

GK rats are at the start of the pathogenesis

and the plasma glucose remained steady at more than 11.0 mmol·L-1 high blood glucose levels

and the HbA1c level were also significantly elevated. These indicators could remain at least till the age of thirty-second weeks. At the same time

GK rats also demonstrate symptoms similar to those of the diabetes patients such as 'emaciation'

'overeating'

'excessive drinking of water' and the rest. The mortality rate of GK rats was relatively low

being only about at 11.47%. GK rats to glucose load were in a reduced metabolic capacity

and the pathological changes of pancreas and liver tissue were aggravated. Conclusion: At the age of 24 to 32 weeks

GK rats were in the period of the pathogenesis

with the obvious and stable characteristics of diabetes

and the mortality rate is low. Therefore

GK rats can be suitable for the research of pathogenesis and drug effectiveness evaluation for diabetes.