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Streptozotocin and high-fat diets are common methods for establishing diabetic neurogenic bladder animal modelsReview identifies common methods for studying diabetes and bladder issues

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Key Takeaway
Note that streptozotocin remains the primary chemical induction method in established diabetic neurogenic bladder models.

This systematic review analyzed 352 studies to evaluate the characteristics of animal models for diabetic neurogenic bladder (DNB). The analysis focused on modeling methods, including chemical induction using streptozotocin (STZ), and combined induction involving STZ plus high-sugar and high-fat diets.

The synthesis indicates that SD rats, Wistar rats, and C57BL/6 mice are the primary species used in these models. Specifically, 82.39% of the studied animals were male. Streptozotocin was utilized as a chemical induction method in 74.15% of studies, while combined induction with high-sugar and high-fat diets occurred in 13.64% of cases. The most common STZ dose reported was 60 mg/kg via single injection, typically following an 8-week modeling cycle.

A noted limitation in the existing literature is the prevalence of insufficient blinding procedures. These findings serve as a theoretical reference for establishing standardized DNB animal models and identifying specific areas to optimize research protocols. Because this is a systematic review of animal data, these results are intended for laboratory research guidance rather than direct clinical application.

When scientists study how diabetes affects the bladder, they need reliable ways to recreate these conditions in a lab. This systematic review looked at 352 different studies using animal models, like rats and mice, to see how researchers currently model this specific link.

The review found that most researchers use a chemical called streptozotocin to induce diabetes. While some combine this with high-sugar and high-fat diets, the vast majority of studies rely on the chemical alone. The study also noted common patterns, such as using 60 mg/kg doses and an eight-week cycle to observe changes.

Because these models are used to test new treatments, consistency is key. However, the researchers noted that many current studies lack proper blinding procedures. This means that while the data helps create a roadmap for better research standards, it highlights the need for more consistent methods in future lab work.

What this means for you:
The review identifies common chemical and dietary methods used to study how diabetes impacts bladder health.

Common questions

What methods are commonly used to study this condition?

Researchers most often use a chemical called streptozotocin to create a model of diabetes. About 74.15% of the studies reviewed used this chemical alone, while about 13.64% combined it with a high-sugar and high-fat diet.

What types of animals are used in these studies?

The study looked at 352 different research papers. These studies primarily used SD rats, Wistar rats, and C57BL/6 mice to model the link between diabetes and bladder issues.

Are there any known issues with current research methods?

The review found that many existing studies have insufficient blinding procedures. This means there is a need for more standardized protocols to ensure the results are as clear as possible.

Study Details

Study typeSystematic review
EvidenceLevel 1
PublishedJul 2026
View Original Abstract ↓
BackgroundDiabetic Neurogenic Bladder (DNB) is a prevalent urological disorder and autonomic nervous system complication associated with diabetes mellitus. This condition may lead to severe renal damage if not properly managed. Despite its clinical significance, there is a lack of unified standards for current DNB animal models, and previous review articles fail to provide sufficient objective data to support their conclusions.ObjectiveThe present study aims to systematically summarize the characteristics of DNB animal models through data mining techniques, thereby offering a theoretical reference for the establishment of standardized DNB animal models.MethodRelevant studies were searched in 7 databases including PubMed and CNKI. After screening in accordance with the PRISMA flow diagram, a total of 352 eligible studies were included in the analysis. The SYRCLE tool was employed for quality assessment of the included studies, while SPSS Modeler (utilizing the Apriori algorithm) and R software were used for statistical analysis and result visualization.ResultsSD rats, Wistar rats, and C57BL/6 mice were identified as the primary animal species used for constructing DNB models, with male animals accounting for 82.39% of the total. Chemical induction (predominantly streptozotocin, STZ; 74.15%) and combined induction with STZ plus a high-sugar and high-fat diet (13.64%) were the mainstream modeling methods. The most commonly used STZ dose was 60 mg/kg (administered as a single injection), and the typical modeling cycle was 8 weeks. The core criteria for successful modeling were the combined detection of blood glucose, urodynamics, and glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c). However, existing studies exhibited certain biases, such as insufficient blinding procedures. The characteristics of detection indicators were centered on a dual core of “basic pathological changes of diabetes mellitus + local bladder lesions,” involving mechanisms including inflammation, oxidative stress, fibrosis, neuroinjury, and cell death.ConclusionsThis study clarifies the current application status of DNB animal models, addressing the research gap existing in previous review articles. Future research should focus on optimizing modeling protocols, promoting the application of non-invasive detection indicators, and enhancing the standardized reporting of study details.
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