Baseline Characteristics of the Study Subjects.

Data are expressed as mean ± standard deviation or median (inter-quartile range).P-values were calculated by an independent two-sample t-test, Mann–Whitney U-test, or Pearson’s chi-square test.AST, aspartate aminotransferase; ALT, alanine aminotransferase; HDL, high-density lipoprotein; LDL, low-density lipoprotein;HOMA-IR, homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance; eGFR, estimated glomerular filtration rate;IL-6, interleukin-6; hsCRP, high-sensitivity C-reactive protein;CTRP-3, C1q/TNF-related protein-3; IMT, intima-media thickness.*Non-normally distributed.