A rat model of diabetic nephropathy is disclosed. In another embodiment of the invention, a method of evaluating a test compound's effect of diabetic nephropathy is disclosed. In one embodiment, this method comprises the steps of (a) exposing the test compound to the rat of claim 1, wherein the rat would develop progressive proteinuria and glomerulosclerosis leading to diabetic nephropathy in the absence of the test compound, and (b) comparing the rat's development of diabetic nephropathy with a control T2DN mimic rat that has not been exposed to the test compound.