2.9. Biochemical Variables
TG
BLOOD, INSULIN RESISTANCE, INSULIN RESISTANCE
The biochemical parameters were assessed at T0 and T2. Venous blood samples were drawn after an overnight fast. Blood samples were obtained through an indwelling catheter inserted in an antecubital vein, and were immediately centrifuged and stored at −80 °C until assayed.Blood count was measured using a Coulter automated cell counter MAX-M (Beckman Coulter, Inc., Fullerton, CA, USA). Fasting blood glucose (FBG), total cholesterol (TC), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), and triglyceride (TG) levels were measured by an automatic biochemical analyzer (Hitachi 747, Tokyo, Japan). The serum insulin was evaluated by a double-antibody RIA (Kabi Pharmacia Diagnostics AB, Uppsala, Sweden) and expressed as mcU/mL. The intra- and interassay coefficients of variation were below 6%, and the low-detection limit was 10.7 pmol/L.To determine insulin resistance, subjects were instructed to fast for 12 h before obtaining the blood samples. Furthermore, the subjects refrained from any form of physical exercise for 48 h before the blood sampling. Insulin resistance was evaluated using the homeostasis model assessment (HOMA) [Glucosamine levels were measured using a photometric assay (K-GAMINE 04/18, NEOGEN Europe Ltd., Auchincruive, UK) following the manufacturer’s instructions. Liposoluble vitamin concentrations were determined by reverse-phase high-performance liquid chromatography [