Glycosylated hemoglobin in Mystromys albicaudatus: a diabetic animal model.

Glycosylated hemoglobin was measured in Mystromys albicaudatus, a rodent model of diabetes mellitus, using a newly developed colorimetric assay. The mean glycosylated hemoglobin for non-diabetic Mystromys (n = 321) was 14.8 nmol hydroxymethylfurfural / 10 mg hemoglobin which is similar to that obtained in non-diabetic humans. Animals with a glycosylated hemoglobin value greater than 19 nmol hydroxymethylfurfural / 10 mg hemoglobin were characterized as diabetics. Significant correlations were found between glycosylated hemoglobin and both plasma glucose and urine glucose levels.