kept at 5°C until centrifugation at 1000×g. Serum was
distributed into sterile Cryo Vials (Greiner Labortechnik, Frickenhausen,
Germany) in volumes of 500 μL and immediately frozen at
−80°C until analysis. The levels of plasma thyroid hormones,
including triiodothyronine (T3), thyroxine (T4), and thyroid stimulating
hormone (TSH) were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay according
to the manufacturer’s protocol (Endocrine Technology, Old Bridge, NJ,
USA). The absorbance was measured 450 nm using a plate reader (Tecan Sunrise
TW, Salzburg, Austria).