Many genetic and environmental factors are involved in the development and progression of diabetic kidney disease (DKD), and its pathology shows various characteristics. Animal models of DKD play an important role in elucidating its pathogenesis and developing new therapies. In this study, we investigated the pathophysiological features of two DKD animal models: db/db mice (background of hyperglycemia) and KK-Ay mice (background of hyperinsulinemia). Male and female mice were fed a high-fat/high-sucrose (HFS) diet for eight weeks. Two mouse models fed the HFS diet showed increases in urinary protein, kidney weight, and glomerular size, but these changes were pronounced in KK-Ay mice. Pathological examination revealed tubulointerstitial fibrosis in KK-Ay mice fed the HFS diet, but not in db/db mice. In addition, fat accumulation was observed in the macula densa of db/db mice and in the glomeruli of KK-Ay mice fed with the HFS diet. In conclusion, an HFS diet exacerbates renal lesions with tubulointerstitial fibrosis in KK-Ay mice, and KK-Ay mice fed an HFS diet are expected to be useful as a DKD model.
Keywords: KK-Ay mice; db/db mice; diabetic kidney disease; high-fat/high-sucrose diet.