Streptozocin Treatment: A Zebrafish Model of Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus

- Type 1 diabetes mellitus is a human disease in which the immune system destroys insulin making beta cells in the pancreas. Streptozocin can induce type 1 diabetes mellitus in zebrafish. First, anesthetize a fish in a solution of 2-phenoxyethanol in fish water. Take the fish and place it on a Petri dish, ventral side facing upwards. Calculate the dose of streptozocin based on 0.35 milligrams per gram of the fish's weight and dilute it in saline solution.

Administer the streptozocin by intraperitoneal injection below the pelvic girdle on the ventral side of the zebrafish. Streptozocin is structurally similar to N-acetylglucosamine, a ligand that binds the GLUT2 receptor on pancreatic beta cells, leading to secretion of insulin. Thus, streptozocin binds to GLUT2 receptors present on pancreatic beta cells which transport it inside the cells.

Upon entering the beta cells, streptozocin triggers an immune response leading to the release of autoantigens. The autoantigens cause the immune system to recognize beta cells as foreign and destroy them leading to reduced levels of insulin. Administer repeated doses of streptozocin on days three and five, followed by weekly doses, one every seve