Type II diabetes developed in Indian fish

NEW DELHI: Indian scientists have succeeded in inducing the most prevalent type II diabetes in a freshwater fish, which could turn out to be a convenient animal model to treat the disease.

The disease, which accounts for 95 per cent cases of the disorder, was induced by feeding the Indian perch (Anabas testudineus) with a compound called palmitate. This compound belongs to a class called free fatty acid, which is among the major reasons for development of diabetes.

Palmitate intake for a prolonged period of 100 days increased the body weight of the animal by more than 60 per cent. Glucose and insulin levels were also elevated more than 2.5 times in the same time period, the study noted.

Scientists also found in the fish the development of insulin resistance, a clear indicator of type II diabetes.