*4.7. Blood Collection and Storage*

Blood samples were collected following a 12 h overnight fasting state before each OGTT. Venous blood samples were taken in tubes containing ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA) and immediately centrifuged at 1100× *g* for 10 min. Plasma was stored at −80 ◦C for further analysis of glycemic and lipid variables, inflammatory (hsCRP, IL-6), antioxidant (F2-isoprostane as 8-iso PGF2<sup>α</sup> isomer), and gut integrity markers (LBP and zonulin).
