Influence of primary hypothyroidism on serum leptin level

Leptin is the protein product of the ob gene, secreted by adipocytes. It has been suggested that it may plays an important role in regulating appetite and energy expenditure, but beside that, little is known about the physiological actions of leptin in humans. To evaluate a possible influence of primary hypothyroidism on serum leptin levels. Fifty-six newly diagnosed patients with primary hypothyroidism [40 females and 16 males] and 32 normal controls matched for age, ethnic status and body mass index [BMI] were studied. Body mass index [BMI; kg/m2], thyroid function [using enzyme-linked immunoflourescent assay] and serum levels of leptin, thyroid autoantibodies [measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbant assay] and lipid profile [measured by enzymatic colourimeteric assays] were assessed in all studied subjects. No significant difference in serum leptin levels was recorded between hypothyroid patients and controls [16.3 +/- 14.9; 14.8 +/- 12.9, P> 0.05], but women in each group had significant higher leptin concentrations than men [patients: 19.6 +/- 16.3 vs. 8.3 +/- 5.0; controls: 19.0 +/- 14.4 vs. 7.7 +/- 4.1; P<0.05]. Serum levels of cholesterol [p<0.002], LDL-cholesterol [p<0.004] and atherogenic ratio [p<0.03] were generally higher in patients than controls. The serum leptin concentration correlated positively with BMI within both patients [r=0.32; p<0.016] and controls [r=0.28; p<0.024]. However, no association was demonstrated between values of serum T3, T4, TSH, triglyceride, HDL-cholesterol and thyroid auto antibodies. Circulating thyroid hormones do not appear to play any significant effect on leptin levels in patients with primary hypothyroidism

significance of lipid abnormalities in children with insulin-dependant diabetes mellitus

To evaluate serum lipids in children with type 1 diabetes mellitus and its relation to glycemic control, in comparison with sex and age matched non-diabetic children. Fasting blood glucose, glycosylated haemoglobin [HbAlc] and lipid profile were estimated in 45 children [20 males and 25 females] with type 1 diabetes attending diabetic clinic at Sulaymani children hospital from the period of November 2005 till Jully 2006. Fifty health children [23 males and 27 females] admitted to the same hospital with acute illnesses like respiratory tract infections were randomly selected as controls. Mean total cholesterol, triglycerides, LDL-C, VLDL-C, and LDL-C/HDL-C ratio were significantly higher in diabetic children compared to the control. However, there was no significant difference in the levels of HDL-C in both groups .In addition to that, diabetic patients with poor control have a significantly higher levels of blood glucose, total cholesterol, triglycerides, LDL-C and LDL-C/HDL-C ratio as compared to those with good control. A significant correlation between most lipid variables and HbAlc was observed in diabetic patients. Children with type 1 diabetes should be screened for serum lipids as significant lipid abnormalities are related to glycemic control. Both can be improved with dietary guidelines and insulin therapy