Epidemiological studies have reported an association between NEFA and the riskof diabetes mellitus.35,36 Increased concentrations of NEFAin individuals with visceral obesity contribute to the development of variousdisorders such as peripheral insulin resistance, dyslipidemia, and b-cellapoptosis.37 Our datashowed NEFA values similar to or higher than the values reported in theliterature.38,39 This is compatible with theincreased values also observed for glucose, insulin and HOMA-IR, independent of sexin our study. This evidence concerns the gene INS and diabetes mellitus.