At baseline, 12 weeks, and 24 weeks, blood samples were
collected following a 12-h overnight fast. Serum lipids (total
cholesterol (TC), HDL cholesterol (HDL-C), and triacylglycerol
(TAG)) were measured using enzymatic colorimetric
tests and LDL cholesterol (LDL-C) was calculated using the
Friedwald equation. Plasma glucose was measured at baseline
and 24 weeks using an enzymatic colorimetric assay. For
determination of fat-soluble vitamins (vitamin A (retinol),
beta-carotene, vitamin D, vitamin E (a-tocopherol), and
prothrombin time (a surrogate measure of vitamin K)) at
baseline and 24 weeks fasting, serum samples were centrifuged
at room temperature and separated within 4 h of
collection prior to analysis by high-performance liquid
chromatography.