Objective To observe the role of resting metabolic rate (RMR) in evaluation of animal model of glucocorticoid-induced Kidney Yin deficiency and Kidney Yang deficiency syndrome. Methods Male BALB/c mice were divided into control group, model group, Jinkuishenqi pill group, and Zhibaidihuang pill group. The later 3 groups were given drinking water containing corticosterone (first dissolved in 1% ethanol, with a final concentration of corticosterone 100 μg/mL). The control group was given drinking water containing 1% ethanol. RMR was measured by closed fluid pressure respirometer. At the end of the experiment, the mice were sacrificed to detect the weight index of perirenal fat, epididymal fat, quadriceps, and tibialis anterior muscle. ELISA assay was used to detect the level of serum hormones. Histological changes of the liver and kidney were examined by HE staining. Malondialdehyde (MDA) content, succinate dehydrogenase (SDH) activity, cytochrome c oxidase (COX) activity and ATP level were measured. Results Compared with the control group, the RMR of model group was significantly increased at the 2nd day of beginning of the experiment, reached the highest on the 4th day (P<0.01), then decreased gradually, and to the 66th day, the RMR was significantly reduced (P<0.05). Use of corticosterone resulted in decrease of the serum levels of thyroxine (T4), muscle mass index, SDH activity, COX activity and ATP level, while increase of fat mass index and MDA level. The two Kidney nourishing prescriptions reduced animal mortality, and reduced the content of MDA in liver tissue. But only Jinkuishenqi pill increased the RMR at the 4th and 66th days (P<0.05), and significantly improved the liver SDH activity, COX activity and ATP level (P<0.01). The Zhibaidihuang pill showed no such effects. Conclusions RMR can be used for evaluation of animal model of Kidney Yin or Kidney Yang deficiency induced by glucocorticoids.