INS and metabolic syndrome: The HF-fed rats exhibited several of the MetS features (Fig. 8) already described for this model43, 44, namely: a rapid weight gain, mostly due to a dramatic increase in AT mass; dysglycaemia with impaired response to glucose and tendentiously higher fasting insulin levels and HOMA index, mild dyslipidaemia; hyperleptinemia; and a reduction of the anti-inflammatory cytokine IL-10, alongside with a slight decrease in TGF-β1 levels, an immune system-modulating cytokine45.