Metabolic health variables measured at baseline 1, baseline 2, postintervention 1 and postintervention 2
| Quantity | Special handling | Techniques of analysis | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Insulin and glucose | 2 mL | Potassium oxalate/sodium fluoride tube (Grey Top) | ELISA and biochemistry analyzer |
| HBA1C | SST | Standard procedure | |
| Testosterone every 4 weeks | 4 mL | SST | Liquid chromatography with isotope dilution mass spectrometry detection |
| Albumin* | SST | Standard procedure | |
| SHBG* | SST | Standard procedure | |
| IGF-1, IGFBP-1 and 3 | 4 mL | SST | ELISA |
| Inflammatory biomarkers (CRP, IL-6, TNFα) | 4 mL | SST | ELISA |
| Free fatty acids | 2 mL | Potassium oxalate/sodium fluoride tube (Grey Top) | Enzymatic colorimetric quantification |
| Triglycerides, total cholesterol, HDL, LDL | 4 mL | SST | Enzymatic colorimetric quantification |
*Only at baseline 2 and postintervention 1 to calculate free testosterone.
CRP, C reactive protein; HBA1C, haemoglobin A1c; SHBG, sex hormone binding globulin; IGF-1, insulin-like growth factor 1; IGF-BP, insulin-like growth factor binding protein; IL-6, interleukin 6; SST, serum separator tube; TNFα, tumour-necrosis factor α.