The following tests will be completed at the screening and baseline visits: blood chemistry (including sodium, potassium, chloride, BUN, creatinine, glucose, SGOT, SGPT, LDH, alkaline phosphatase, total bilirubin, cholesterol, and triglycerides) and complete blood count. In the event of clinically significant abnormalities, urine samples will be sent for urinalysis. Moreover, the following additional lab tests will be carried out at screening, baseline, week 13, week 24 and week 52 (HbA1c, fasting glucose, total cholesterol, HDL, LDL, triglycerides, insulinemia, albumin to creatinine ratio, and plasma creatinine).