Establishing scientifically effective animal models is a crucial step in completing disease research. Dietary induction is a common method for establishing animal models of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). Common animal models of diet induced NAFLD mainly include high-fat and high sugar diet induction model, high-fat and high cholesterol diet induction model, and choline deficiency diet induction model. Due to the different nutrient intake in different modeling methods, the liver exhibits different pathological characteristics such as fatty deformation, inflammation, and fibrosis. In addition, the disease progression, severity, and applicable research of different animal models also vary.
This article analyzes and compares common animal models of NAFLD induced by different diets in terms of modeling methods, modeling time, pathological characteristics, applicable research, and related advantages and disadvantages, providing reference for NAFLD researchers to choose animal models.