Effects of epigenetic predisposition of obesity on expression and progression of diabetes in the corpulent rat

To determine the effects of aging, early onset obesity, and genetic predisposition on the progression of glycemic parameters, groups of congenic male lean, obese, and obese-diabetic rats (n= 5-6 rats/group) that share the same genetic trait for obesity (the -cp trait) were reared under normal laboratory conditions and feed Purina Rodent chow ad libitum throughout. Rats were subjected to measures of fasting glucose, insulin, and amylin and glycated hemoglobin and on the glycemic response to an oral glucose tolerance at 4 and 12 months of age. Obese animals weighed more than their lean littermates. Fasting plasma glucose, insulin, and amylin concentrations of obese > lean, in increased further in T2DM-prone animals, with the greatest increases in the oldest animals.