After acclimatization for 7 to 10 days, the rats were fasted
for 12 hours before an intramuscular injection of streptozotocin
(STZ) (Sigma-Aldrich, 50 mg/kg body weight [BW])
dissolved in citrate buffer at pH 4.5. Two days after STZ
treatment, the rats were considered diabetic (as determinedby nonfasting blood glucose levels of N300 mg/dL and
positive glucose urine test [Glucocard Test Meter, Japan])
[19]. After induction of diabetes, the rats were maintained on
a conventional diet for the duration of the experiment.
To induce hypercholesterolemia, after acclimatization for
7 to 10 days, normal rats were switched to a modified AIN-
76 diet consisting of 55.5% carbohydrates, 14.0% fats (30%
of total energy), 20.0% protein, 5.0% fiber, and 0.5%
cholesterol by weight, as previously described [20]. Normal
rats were fed the same diet without cholesterol, as shown in
Table 1. The rats were maintained on their respective diets
for 6 weeks to induce hypercholesterolemia and then for the
whole experimental period.