LEP and Insulin resistance: The hepatic manifestations of obesity are clear in the present model as the obesogenic phenotype of the HFD-obese rats (marked weight gain, hyperglycemia, insulin resistance, dyslipidemia, elevation in the circulatory TNF-α and leptin levels and a marked decline in the adiponectin level) is associated with histological changes in the liver and significant elevation of serum activities of the transaminases and bilirubin level.