Induction of Type I Diabetes Mellitus in Beagle Dogs Using Alloxan and Streptozotocin

This article describes a protocol for chemically inducing type I diabetes mellitus in beagle dogs using a mixture of alloxan (ALX) and streptozotocin (STZ). ALX and STZ are both cytotoxic, diabetogenic agents that cause necrosis of pancreatic β-cells and therefore halt the production of insulin. Although both compounds are widely used in experimental animal models of diabetes, standard protocols employing a single high dose of either agent are also implicated in adjacent organ damage. In contrast, combined administration of ALX and STZ allows for the use of lower doses, a method that effectively destroys β-cells and circumvents unwanted adverse effects. The procedures described in this protocol produce persistent, insulin-dependent hyperglycemia in beagle dogs using combined doses of ALX and STZ lower than those previously described for a single intravenous administration. This model can be used to test experimental compounds indicated for the treatment of diabetes. © 2022 Wiley Periodicals LLC. Basic Protocol: Induction of type I diabetes mellitus in beagle dogs using alloxan and streptozotocin.