Clinical Insights

Love Your Research, Love Healthy Bodies: Advancing Obesity and Metabolic Health Research

by Katie Dineen, B.S., Business Development Manager Preclinical Laboratory Services

Valentine’s Day is a time to celebrate love, care, and well-being—not just for each other, but also for the health of our bodies. At MLM Medical Labs, we are dedicated to supporting research that advances metabolic health and obesity treatments, ensuring a brighter, healthier future for all. With obesity rates on the rise worldwide, there is an urgent need for translatable preclinical models that help researchers better understand metabolic disorders and develop effective therapeutics.

The Role of Preclinical Models in Obesity Research

Obesity is a complex metabolic disorder influenced by genetics, lifestyle, and environmental factors. It is closely linked to conditions such as type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and metabolic syndrome. To develop novel therapies, researchers rely on preclinical models that accurately replicate human metabolic dysfunction. One of the most widely used and well-characterized models is the Diet-Induced Obesity (DIO) Model.

MLM Medical Labs’ Diet-Induced Obesity (DIO) Model

Our DIO model provides key metabolic insights that support the development of next-generation obesity and diabetes treatments. This model replicates human obesity by feeding rodents a high-fat diet, leading to weight gain, insulin resistance, and metabolic alterations comparable to those seen in human patients. With this model, researchers can evaluate the efficacy of potential therapies and better understand disease mechanisms.

We offer a diverse range of metabolic readouts for in-depth metabolic assessments.

• 🥣 Feed Intake Measurement – Tracks dietary habits and energy intake, providing valuable insights into appetite regulation and metabolic balance.
• 🩸 Triglycerides & Cholesterol Levels – Assess lipid metabolism and cardiovascular risk factors, providing a broader picture of metabolic health.
• 🧪 Histological Analysis – Examines adipose tissue and liver samples to assess adipocyte size, inflammation, and hepatic steatosis.
• 🔬 Glucose Level Monitoring – Real-time tracking of blood glucose fluctuations to assess metabolic control.
• 🍬 Oral Glucose Tolerance Test (OGTT) – Measures how efficiently glucose is cleared from the bloodstream, an essential indicator of glucose metabolism and insulin function.
• 💉 Insulin Tolerance Test (ITT) – Evaluates insulin sensitivity by measuring the body’s response to exogenous insulin administration.
• 📊 Additional Metabolic Assessments – A range of customized evaluations is available to meet specific research needs beyond the core readouts.

Why This Research Matters

Obesity goes beyond what meets the eye—it’s a global public health crisis. According to the World Health Organization, over 650 million adults worldwide are affected by obesity, and type 2 diabetes rates continue to climb. Developing effective interventions requires a deep understanding of metabolic processes and the ability to test promising therapies in relevant and translatable preclinical models.

By refining in vivo metabolic models, MLM Medical Labs enables researchers to generate high-quality, reproducible data that can accelerate the translation of potential treatments into clinical applications. Our DIO model, combined with advanced metabolic assessments, ensures robust, clinically relevant results to support the fight against obesity and diabetes.

This Valentine’s Day, Show Some Love to Scientific Discovery

As we celebrate love and care this Valentine’s Day, let’s also recognize the importance of research in improving health and well-being. At MLM Medical Labs, we’re committed to providing cutting-edge preclinical solutions that help researchers combat metabolic disorders and create a healthier future for all.

Interested in learning more about our DIO model and metabolic research capabilities? LET’S CONNECT and explore how we can support your next breakthrough! 💙

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