2.4. Biochemical Assessment
BLOOD, OXIDATIVE STRESS
We collected venous blood samples using sodium fluoride and EDTA blood collection tubes for plasma samples and no anticoagulant tubes for serum samples. Blood samples were centrifuged at 3000 rpm for 15 min at 4 °C, and the plasma and serum were aliquoted and stored at −20 °C for further analysis. Plasma glucose, serum lipids, and kidney and liver function were analyzed by the Health Science Unit, Faculty of Allied Health Sciences, Chulalongkorn University, Thailand. Plasma antioxidants (TEAC) and plasma oxidative stress markers such as thiol and MDA (malonaldehyde) were evaluated at the phytochemical research unit, Chulalongkorn University, Thailand. The plasma Trolox equivalent antioxidant capacity (TEAC) was measured by the 2,2′-azinobis (3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonate) free radical (ABTS●+) (Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany) solution [The plasma protein thiol level was determined using a modified Ellman’s assay [The plasma MDA level was determined using a TBARS-based method [