Diabetes mellitus (DM) is the first cause of end stage chronic kidney disease (CKD). Animal models of the disease can shed light on the pathogenesis of the diabetic nephropathy (DN) and novel and earlier biomarkers of the condition may help to improve diagnosis and prognosis. This review summarizes the most important features of animal models used in the study of DN and updates the most recent progress in biomarker research.
Keywords: Animal models; Chronic kidney disease; Creatinine; Cystatin C; Diabetes mellitus; Diabetic nephropathy; Early markers; Glomerular filtration rate; Kidney injury molecule-1; Obesity; Symmetric dimethylarginine.