TGF-β Measurement
Serum TGF β1 levels were assayed by ELISA method (Thermo Scientifc Multiskan GO, Finland) using commercially available TGF β1 ELISA Kits (Elabscience catalog no:E-EL-H0110). The assay ranges for the TGF β1 kit were 31.25-2000pg/mL, sensitivity 18.75 pg/mL and the intra- and interassay coefficients of variance (CV%) were 6.7% and 5.1%, respectively.