2.3.3. Biochemical Assays
All blood samples were collected between 7:00 and 8:00 a.m. in a tube with clotting activator and left to coagulate at room temperature for 30 min. Then, all samples were prepared as serum by subjecting to 2000 g centrifugation at room temperature for 10 min. The serum supernatant was harvested and stored at −80 °C within 1 h of blood sampling and used for further investigations.