Analysis of Genetic Variations in Diabetic Wistar Rats Induced with Alloxan Monohydrate Using Random Amplified Polymorphic DNA (RAPD) Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) Techniques

Background: Diabetes mellitus is a metabolic disorder characterized by chronic hyperglycemia due to impaired insulin secretion, action, or both. The genetic basis of diabetes has been widely studied in humans, but limited research has been conducted on animal models to understand genetic markers of diabetic expression. This study aims to analyze genetic variations in diabetic Wistar rats induced with alloxan using Random Amplified Polymorphic DNA (RAPD) polymerase chain reaction (PCR) techniques. Materials and Methods: Six Wistar rats were obtained from Sure Amos Farm, Ikere, Ekiti State, Nigeria, and housed conditions at Afe Babalola University, Ado-Ekiti (ABUAD). After seven days of acclimatization, they were weighed, and blood samples were collected for the determination of diabetes indices which serve as baseline parameters. Diabetes was induced intraperitoneally with alloxan at a dose of 150 mg/kg. Six days after the inducement, the animals were weighed again, blood samples were collected via the retroorbital sinus method, and genomic DNA was extracted using the Quick-g DNATM Blood Miniprep kit. DNA amplification was performed using five RAPD primers (B06, T12, H04, T10, B08), and electrophoresis was conducted to assess polymorphic band patterns. Cluster analysis and phylogenetic relationships were determined using Jaccard’s similarity coefficient and the unweighted pair-group method arithmetic (UPGMA) clustering. Results: Alloxan administration significantly decreased body weight while increasing blood glucose levels in all six rats. Three primers (B06, H04, and B08) produced distinct and reproducible bands, demonstrating genetic variations between control and alloxan-induced diabetic rats. PCR amplification revealed additional bands in diabetic rats, indicating genetic modifications associated with diabetes expression. Conclusion: The RAPD-PCR analysis successfully identified genetic alterations in alloxan-induced diabetic Wistar rats. These findings suggest a potential genetic basis for diabetes expression, emphasizing the need for further studies to identify specific genetic markers associated with diabetes susceptibility.