A Novel Method for Establishing a Rabbit Model of Diabetic Periarthritis: The Combination of Alloxan and a Continuous Strain with Ice Compression

Abstract Background Diabetic shoulder periarthritis is a prevalent form of shoulder periarthritis that causes significant discomfort to patients. However, the pathogenesis and treatment of this condition remain unresolved, highlighting the need for a stable and effective experimental animal model. The use of animal models is the primary experimental method for studying the pathogenesis and treatment of human shoulder periarthritis. The absence of an animal model for diabetic shoulder periarthritis is a major obstacle to the advancement of related research. Methods This study aimed to develop a rapid, simple, and naturally pathologically consistent model of diabetic shoulder periarthritis using a combination of alloxan and continuous strain and ice compression methods. Postinduction, pathological specimens were collected from the long head of the biceps tendon, shoulder joint synovium, and pancreas for macroscopic, histological, immunohistochemical, and biochemical assessments, as well as radiological evaluation through MRI of the shoulder joint. Results MRI revealed that the diabetic shoulder periarthritis model group exhibited more pronounced joint effusion and tendon structural disorders at various time points than did the control group. An increase in signal intensity within the joint cavity was observed at 14 days postinduction compared to 7 days, indicating an increase in effusion. The tendon fibers in the model group were disorganized, the synovial tissue structure was dense, with significant vascular proliferation and synovial cell hyperplasia, and the degree of fibrosis increased over time. Pancreatic islet observation revealed a significant reduction in islet number and sparse islet cells in the diabetic shoulder periarthritis model group compared with those in the control group. These results indicate that the diabetic shoulder periarthritis model group exhibited more severe pathological changes in structure and function. Conclusion The combination of alloxan and continuous strain and ice compression can be used to successfully and rapidly and easily induce a rabbit model of diabetic shoulder periarthritis. This study provides further options for the establishment of an animal model for diabetic shoulder periarthritis.