“…This GC-induced IR is time-, dose-and agedependent (Novelli et al, 1999;Rafacho et al, 2011) and is a common effect in GC-treated rats. This is supported by the fact that most studies showed fasting hyperinsulinemia, an indicator of IR (Lee et al, 1989;Stojanovska et al, 1990;Koranyi et al, 1992;Novelli et al, 1999;Zakrzewska et al, 1999;Barbera et al, 2001;Holness & Sugden, 2001;Karlsson et al, 2001;Severino et al, 2002;Choi et al, 2006;Giozzet et al, 2008;. This rise in circulating insulin concentrations fully compensates for peripheral IR in normal rats and prevents any increase in blood glucose concentrations (Lee et al, 1989;Koranyi et al, 1992;Ogawa et al, 1992;Novelli et al, 1999;Zakrzewska et al, 1999;Barbera et al, 2001;Holness & Sugden, 2001;Severino et al, 2002;Choi et al, 2006;Giozzet et al, 2008;, except in normal elderly rats (Novelli et al, 1999) or when the highest experimental doses (1 mg/kg.…”