Glucocorticoid ablation following adrenalectomy resulted in restoration of the impaired non-shivering thermogenesis and impaired glucose tolerance and insulin resistance in obese LA/Ntul//-cp rats. This is a congenic rat strain where the only difference between the lean and obese phenotypes was the presence of the epigenetic expression of obesity in an NIDDM-free animal model. Groups of young adult obese animals were adrenalectomized, followed by thermogenesis and glycemic assessment thereafter. In an additional subgroup, animals were administered insulin daily in an attempt to maintain the insulin resistance state. Adrenalectomy resulted in a complete restoration of normal resting and norepinephrine stimulated thermogenesis and an amelioration of the glycemic parameters of insulin resistance.