The blood was collected from the right ventricle. Plasma was separated by centrifugation at 1000g at 4°C for 10 minutes and stored in −80°C until assayed. Total cholesterol, level of high‐density lipoproteins (HDLs) and low‐density lipoproteins (LDLs), as well as triglycerides (TGs) were assayed using commercially available kits (Roche Molecular Biochemical, Pleasanton, CA). In addition, levels of some inflammation markers, such as interleukin 6 (IL)‐6), IL‐12, vascular cell adhesion protein 1 (VCAM‐1), and monocyte chemoattractant protein 1 (MCP‐1), were measured by ELISA using commercially available kits (R&D Systems, Minneapolis, MN). Aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and alanine aminotransferase (ALT) plasma levels were assayed using commercially available kits: Reflotron GPT, Reflotron GOT (Roche, Mannheim, Germany), and Reflovet Plus equipment (Roche, Germany).
Apart from that, the level of TGs in the liver was measured using Triglyceride Colorimetric Assay Kit (Cayman Chemical, Ann Arbor, MI), according to the manufacturer's instructions.
Apart from that, the level of TGs in the liver was measured using Triglyceride Colorimetric Assay Kit (Cayman Chemical, Ann Arbor, MI), according to the manufacturer's instructions.