4.3. Streptozotocin-Induced Experimental Diabetes

Diabetes was induced by repeated intraperitoneal injections of streptozotocin (STZ; 50 mg/kg) for 5 consecutive days. Control non-diabetic animals were injected with vehicle citrate buffer (pH = 4.6) in the same fashion. Weight and blood levels were monitored, and animals were considered diabetic only when blood glucose levels were ≥25 mM, and weight loss was not >20% of the initial baseline weight of the animal (Figure 1D). Animals were investigated in vivo over a period of 8 weeks after STZ injection.