Andropause phenomenon by measurement of serum free testosterone concentration in Iraqi healthy men. Age related study

To investigate the andropause phenomenon in Iraqi healthy subjects by evaluating serum free testosterone [FT] concentrations in association with age. This study was carried out at the Biochemistry Department, College of Medicine, University of Baghdad, between February 2012 and October 2012. This cross sectional control subject's study included 251 healthy Iraqi men with an age range of 20-82 years. Subjects were divided into variant age groups, group 1 [20-40 years, n=16], group 2 [40-60 years, n=165] and group 3 [60-82 years, n=70], group A-1 [<50 years, n=137] and group A-2 [>/= 50 years, n=114], and group B-1 [<60 years, n=215] and group B-2 [>/= 60 years, n=36]. Serum FT concentrations were measured by using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay technique. The results revealed significant negative correlation between serum FT concentrations and the age values of the studied subjects [r= -0.231, p=0.0001]. The mean [ +/- SEM] value of serum FT concentrations was significantly decreased in group 3 when compared with that of group 1 [p<0.009] and group 2 [p=0.031] as well as in group B2 than in group B1 [p=0.043]. This study found significant decline in serum FT level, the gold test for andropause phenomenon, in healthy male subjects in age-related changes and the cutoff at which such significant decrease occurred is at 60 years of age and above

Role of growth hormone and insulin-like growth factor-I in hyperandrogenism and the severity of acne vulgaris in young males

To evaluate the association of growth hormone [GH], and insulin-like growth factor- 1[IGF-1] in the production of male sex hormones and the severity of acne in Iraqi male patients, and to assess their role in development of secondary hyperlipidemia in such patients. We conducted this case-control study and single-center measurement of hormones and selected biochemical parameters in a cohort of volunteer males in the Department of Biochemistry College of Medicine, Baghdad University, and in the Dermatology Department, Baghdad Teaching Hospital, Iraq, from January 2010 to November 2010. The mean serum levels of GH and IGF-1 of severe acne patients were significantly increased when compared with mild-, moderate acne patients, and healthy controls [p=0.0001]. Also, the mean serum total testosterone, androstenedione, and dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate [DHEAS] levels were significantly increased in severe acne compared with those of mild- [p=0.0001], moderate acne patients [p=0.005], and healthy males [p=0.0001]. The mean values of lipid parameters significantly differed in severe acne patients in comparison with other acne groups and controls [p=0.004]. The results also revealed a significant correlation between the studied parameters. The study showed a significant elevation of serum GH and IGF-1, which enhanced androgen hormone production and the development of severe acne. These patients may develop hyperlipidemia secondary to their hyperandrogenism

role of dyslipidaemia in pathogenesis of familial dilated cardiomyopathy and nonischemic heart failure

This study had been designed to evaluate the serum lipid profile concentrations in patients with familial dilated cardiomyopathy [FDCM] and nonischemic DCM, and search for a correlation between serum lipid concentrations and the severity of heart failure. This case controlled study was conducted in Department of Cardiology in Ibn Albitar Hospital, Baghdad and in Department of Physiological Chemistry, College of Medicine, University of Baghdad from January 2005 to November 2005. Fifty-one patients DCM were included in this study, 7 patients with FDCM [40-70 years], and the remainder 44 patients with nonischemic DCM [19-72 years old]. Twenty-five healthy subjects [21-60 years] taken as a control group. Investigations included serum estimation of total cholesterol [Tch], triglyceride [TG], low density lipoprotein-cholesterol [LDL-C], high density lipoprotein-cholesterol [HDL-C], HDL-C/LDL-C ratio and Tch/LDL-C ratio in patient and control groups. Some of the echocardiographic parameters were also measured in all patients. The mean [ +/- SD] values of serum concentrations of Tch and LDL-C did not differ significantly between patient groups and controls. Serum TG concentration was significantly increased in patients with FDCM and nonischemic DCM when compared with healthy controls [p<0.018, p<0.011; respectively]. Serum HDL-C concentration was significantly decreased in nonischemic DCM patients compared with controls [p<0.0001]. An important significant correlations were also observed between the serum lipid concentrations and the echocardiographic values in patient groups. Our data revealed that lipid profile abnormalities, in particular high serum TG and low serum HDL-C concentrations, may contribute to the development of FDCM and nonischemic DCM

frequency of 21-alpha hydroxylase enzyme deficiency and related sex hormones in Iraqi healthy male subjects versus patients with acne vulgaris

To find out the frequency of nonclassical congenital adrenal hyperplasia [CAH] due to 21-hydroxylase deficiency among Iraqi healthy male individuals versus male patients with acne vulgaris. This case-control study and single-center examination of hormone levels in a cohort of volunteers was conducted in the Department of Dermatology, Baghdad Teaching Hospital, and in the Physiological Chemistry Department of the College of Medicine, Baghdad University, Baghdad, Iraq, from September 2007 to February 2008. The frequency of 21-hydroxylase enzyme deficiency in healthy male subjects was 1:43 [2.3%], while in male patients with acne vulgaris, this was 6:43 [13.95%]. Serum 17-hydroxyprogesterone [OHP] levels were statistically and significantly elevated in male patients with acne vulgaris compared with healthy male controls [p=0.020]. The serum total cortisol level was significantly reduced in patients with acne vulgaris in comparison with that of healthy controls [p=0.022]. These results support the necessity of inclusion of the 21-alpha hydroxylase enzyme activity [serum 17-OHP level] screening test in acne patients

Relevant biochemical changes in hepatomegalic patients with diabetes mellitus

Serum enzymes including aminotransferases [ALT, AST], Alkaline phosphatase, lactate dehydrogenase, and gamma glutamyl transferase, beside cholesterol, bilirubin [total and conjugated], as well as total protein and its electrophoretic fractions were measured in 59 hepatomegalic patients with diabetes mellitus, 108 diabetic patients with no hepatomegaly, and 50 subjects as a normal control group. Significant increases in the level of all of the measured enzymes as well as cholesterol were found in diabetics with hepatomegaly as compared to those with no hepatomegaly and the control group. A significant difference was found between total serum bilirubin concentration in hepatomegalic diabetics and controls, but not with diabetic patients with normal liver size. The serum albumin level was significantly lower, while alpha 1-, alpha 2-, beta-, and total globulins were significantly higher in hepatomegalic diabetics than in the control group