2.3.3. Blood Sampling and Analysis
INSULIN RESISTANCE
Venous blood samples were taken from an antecubital vein at approximately 8:00 a.m. by a qualified technician after an overnight fast. Low-density lipoprotein (LDL), total cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein (HDL), triglyceride, hepatic enzymes, alanine aminotransferase (ALT), and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) were measured by a standard kit (CELM, Barueri, Brazil). Concentrations of blood glucose were estimated through a glucose oxidase technique (Glucose-Analyzer II, Beckman Industries, Fullerton, USA). An insulin enzyme-linked immune-sorbent assay kit (ALPCO, Salem, NH, USA) was used to assess plasma insulin levels. Homeostasis model assessment-estimated insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) was utilized to estimate IR. Fasting blood glucose (FBG) and immunoreactive insulin (I) were used to calculate HOMA-IR as follows: (HOMA-IR = fasting insulin (μIU/mL) × fasting glucose (mmol/mL)/22.5.) [