INS and Insulin resistance: Serum high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP), plasma total cholesterol, LDL-C, high density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), triglycerides, plasma insulin, and plasma glucose were measured as reported previously.30 Homeostatic model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) was calculated as: (fasting insulin (μU/mL) x fasting glucose (mmol/L))/22.5.39 Weight and height were measured at the screening visit and BMI was calculated as weight in kilograms divided by (height (in meters)).2