Protocol for producing a rat model of non-obese prediabetes using a mild hypercaloric diet approach

Metabolic disease complications pose a significant health risk due to their early development, making their diagnosis and radical therapy a considerable challenge. Here, we present a protocol for producing a rat model of non-obese prediabetes characterized by hyperinsulinemia, normoglycemia, and normal body weight. We describe steps for inducing the model in Sprague-Dawley (SD) male and ovariectomized female rats by free feeding on a mild hypercaloric diet. This protocol offers a potential model of metabolically unhealthy lean individuals. For complete details on the use and execution of this protocol, please refer to Elkhatib et al.¹ and Dwaib et al.².