We have previously shown that short-term feeding [20 to 25 day induction period (IP)] normal rats a sucrose-rich diet (SRD) results in an increase of plasma (P), liver (L), and heart (H) triacylglycerol (TG) levels, accompanied by a drop in plasma postheparin total (T-TGL) and hepatic (H-TGL) triglyceride lipases activities, IV glucose intolerance (low Kg) and hyperinsulin responses both in vivo and in vitro, suggesting that a state of insulin resistance had developed. Since normalization of P-TG ensued in the medium term [40 to 55 day adaptation period (AP)] we decided to carry out a longitudinal, long-term (90 to 120 day) follow-up study to observe the dynamic behavior of the above metabolic and hormonal parameters as compared to the appropriate time course control rats were fed the standard chow (STD).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)