The A1c values were measured by the DCA 2000® Analyzer, distributed by Bayer Corporation (Elkhart, IN). The DCA 2000® A1c assay gives accurate and precise results over a range of total hemoglobin from 7 to 24 g/dL. All subjects had hemoglobin concentrations well within these values. Normal A1c values are 3.4 to 6.2 % (18). The CBC (Beckman Coulter LH750, Beckman Coulter, Hialeah, FL), CMP (AU-5200 Olympus Japan Co Ltd, Tokyo) and CK (Olympus AU-800; Olympus, Tokyo, Japan) were performed by Quest Diagnostics, Denver, Colorado.