[Comparison of leptin blood levels and correlation of leptin with LH and FSH in PCOS patients and normal individuals]

There are high concentration of LH in Polycystic Ovary syndrome [PCOS] patients. These patients are usually obese and have increased leptin levels in their blood. It is not clear whether obesity or increased leptin levels cause changes in the hypothalamus- pituitary axis. This study evaluated the blood leptin, LH and FSH levels in PCOS group and compared them with a control group. The study included 27 PCOS patients and 27 normal individuals as control. They were matched for age [18-40 year]. A fasting blood sample was taken and then freezed at -80 degrees Celsius. This sample was used for measurement of leptin, FSH, LH and insulin levels. There was a significant difference between leptin, insulin and glucose levels in the two groups [P<0.05] Leptin levels were higher in group with BMI>25 as compared to group with BMI< 25 [P<0.05]. The mean LH level in PCOS group was significantly higher than the control group. It is possible that in PCOS patients, high levels of LH could be related to an increase in leptin levels along with insulin resistance

Rate of cumulus cell apoptosis from fertilized and unfertilized oocytes and acid phosphatase levels in follicular fluids after intracytopasmic sperm injection

The main role of cumulus cells [CC] is to provide nutritious materials for developing oocytes. Follicular fluid [FF] contains the enzyme acid phosphatase, which plays a role in ovulation and fertilization of oocyte. The objective of this prospective study was to evaluate the levels of acid phosphatase in FF and the rate of apoptosis in CC of fertilized and unfertilized oocytes in intracytoplasmic sperm injection [ICSI] program with male factor infertility. Following ovarian hyperstimulation, 101 mature oocytes were prepared for ICSI. Fertilized [n = 51] and unfertilized [n = 50] oocytes were evaluated for apoptosis in CC. CC of each oocyte were stained with Hoechst 33258 for immunofluorescent microscopy. For evaluation of acid phosphatase, FF was centrifuged and the enzymes levels were measured with spectrophotometer. Nuclei of apoptotic cells were fragmented, the chromatins condensed, and the apoptotic bodies were observed in some cells. Rates of apoptotic CC in fertilized and unfertilized oocytes were 15.83% and 13.34%, respectively [P>0.05], r = 0.520]. The acid phosphatase level was reduced as the rate of apoptosis increased P<0.05, r = -0.520]. Also, the concentration of the enzyme increased when the percentage of normal CC increased P<0.05. Our results confirm that neither the evaluation of CC apoptosis, nor the level of acid phosphatase have a prognostic value in the outcome of ICSI. However, the FF level of acid phosphatase is directly related to the quality of retrieved MII oocyte

[Study of blood leptin levels before and after treatment with metformin in diabetes type II patients]

Leptin is a fat tissue hormone that has 176 amino acids with a molecular weight of 16 KD. Leptin has effects on the hypothalamus and peripheral tissues resulting in decreased food absorption and increased energy consumption that finally reduces the body weight and BMI. The aim of this research was to investigate the blood levels of leptin before and after treatment with Metformin in type II diabetic patients. 25 type II diabetic patients without any previous drug treatment history were investigated. This study was a clinical trail before and after treatment with Metformin. There was no particular difference in BMI, average body weight, fat mass and free fat mass before and after treatment. Similarly, the difference in concentration levels of blood glucose, cholesterol, tri-glycerides and LDL-cholesterol before and after treatment was not statistically significant. Also, there was no difference in the average concentration of leptin and insulin before and after treatment. This result showed that although metformin decreased glucose and lipid levels during the treatment period, [1 month] it did not have an effect on leptin, Insulin and other related factors during treatment