Blood samples were taken after a supine rest of 30 min at baseline and at follow-up. At baseline the parameters of sTNF-R1, high-sensitivity CRP (hsCRP) and IL-6 were assessed, while hsCRP was measured at follow-up as well.
STNF-R1 and IL-6 were analysed by the Department of Medicine III, University Clinics Halle (Saale). After 10 min centrifugation (20°C, 1500 rpm, Acc=9, Dcc=3), the plasma was collected and stored at –80°C. Cytokines were assessed using commercially available sandwich ELISAs (IL-6, Opteia, BD Biosciences, Heidelberg, Germany; TNF-R1, Boehringer Mannheim, Mannheim, Germany).
The determination of hsCRP was undertaken by the Institute of Laboratory Medicine, Clinical Chemistry and Molecular Diagnostics at the Leipzig University Clinics. The laboratory has been accredited according to the accreditation norms ISO 15180 and ISO 17025. Serum hsCRP levels were measured using a high-sensitivity immunoturbidimetric method (CRP (Latex) HS, Roche, Mannheim, Germany) on a Hitachi autoanalyser (Roche Diagnostics Mannheim, Germany).
STNF-R1 and IL-6 were analysed by the Department of Medicine III, University Clinics Halle (Saale). After 10 min centrifugation (20°C, 1500 rpm, Acc=9, Dcc=3), the plasma was collected and stored at –80°C. Cytokines were assessed using commercially available sandwich ELISAs (IL-6, Opteia, BD Biosciences, Heidelberg, Germany; TNF-R1, Boehringer Mannheim, Mannheim, Germany).
The determination of hsCRP was undertaken by the Institute of Laboratory Medicine, Clinical Chemistry and Molecular Diagnostics at the Leipzig University Clinics. The laboratory has been accredited according to the accreditation norms ISO 15180 and ISO 17025. Serum hsCRP levels were measured using a high-sensitivity immunoturbidimetric method (CRP (Latex) HS, Roche, Mannheim, Germany) on a Hitachi autoanalyser (Roche Diagnostics Mannheim, Germany).