Diabetes is a major disease affecting more than 400 million people globally. Like in humans, type 2 diabetes in monkeys often occurs with ageing or obesity starting from insulin resistance (IR) or impaired glucose tolerance to overt diabetes due to the failure of pancreatic β-cells. The pathogenesis and histology of β-cell failure in monkeys are particularly similar to those in humans.

KBI has more than 1000 monkeys at various stages of pre-diabetes and diabetes for the evaluation of small molecule drugs, protein products and gene-therapies (such as RNAi) for their efficacy on glycemic control and preservation of β-cell function. The models and research methods are available at KBI for the following diabetic complications and co-morbidities:

·  Type 2 Diabetes (both naturally-developed and diet-induced)
·  Diabetic Nephropathy
·  Diabetic Retinopathy
·  Diabetic Neuropathy
·  Non-alcoholic Steatohepatitis (NASH)
·  Atherosclerosis and Cardiovascular Disease

We have comprehensive tools for screening, diagnosis and staging and detailed studies, including:

·  Measurements for food intake, caloric intake, body weight, body mass index (BMI) 

·  Clinical chemistry for metabolic profiling

·  Oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT), intravenous glucose tolerance test (IVGTT) and insulin tolerance test (ITT)

·  Oral lipid tolerance test (OLTT) and meal tolerance test (MTT)

·  Graded glucose infusion (GGI)

·  Hyperinsulinemic-euglycemic clamp

·  GI-bypass and gastric emptying

The KBI proprietary high-fat diets formulated to replicate the Western-type diet in humans have been used to successfully develop metabolic syndrome, dyslipidemia, diabetes and associated co-morbidities in monkeys.