4.3. Blood Sample Collection
Venous blood samples were collected at rest, after 12 h of fasting, always in the morning (between 7 and 10 a.m.), by puncture of the antecubital vein in vacuum serum separator tubes (S-Monovette 4.9 mL, Sarstedt, Germany). After 30 min at room temperature, the blood samples were centrifuged at 1450× 