Leptin levels in relation to marital status and neuroendocrine function in Iraqi females with polycystic ovary syndrome

The present study was designed to evaluate the relationship between serum leptin levels and the hormones related to fertility in Iraqi females with polycystic ovary syndrome [PCOS] and marital status. This study was conducted during the period from July to December 2007. Twenty-four women [12 married and 12 unmarried] with PCOS and not maintained on any type of therapy were included in the study. Twelve healthy and normal ovulatory women with an age range matched with that of PCOS women were included. After an overnight fasting, blood samples were drawn from all women at random days. While in those with regular menstrual cycles, blood samples were obtained during the follicular phase of the cycle, except for samples utilized for the assay of progesterone that performed in the day 21 of the cycle [luteal phase]. After preparation of serum, the levels of leptin, luteinizing hormone [LH], follicle-stimulation hormone [FSH], progesterone, testosterone and prolactin were analyzed. Both groups of PCOS patients showed significantly lower levels of serum leptin, while prolactin, LH and FSH and testosterone were significantly elevated compared to controls. No significant differences were reported among PCOS patients with different marital status. In conclusion, impaired plasma leptin levels in PCOS women were associated with impaired endocrinological parameters related to fertility

Early graft function and carboxyhemoglobin level in liver transplanted patients

Heme-Oxygenase-1 catalyzes hemoglobin into bilirubin, iron, and carbon monoxide, a well known vasodilator. Heme-Oxygenase-1 expression and carbon monoxide production as measured by blood carboxyhemoglobin levels, increase in end stage liver disease patients. We hypothesized that there may be a correlation between carboxyhemoglobin level and early graft function in patients undergoing liver transplant surgeries. In a descriptive retrospective study, 39 patients who underwent liver transplantation between the year 2005 and 2006 at KFSH and RC, are included in the study. All patients received general anesthesia with isoflurane in 50% oxygen and air. Levels of oxyhemoglobin, carboxyhemoglobin and methemoglobin concentration in percentage were recorded at preoperative time, anhepatic phase, end of surgery, ICU admission and 24 hr after surgery. The level of lactic acid, prothrombin time [PT], partial thrombin time [PTT], serum total bilirubin and ammonia were also recorded at ICU admission and 24 hr after surgery. The numbers of blood units transfused were recorded. 39 patients were included in the study with 13/39 for living donor liver transplant [LDLT] compared to 26/39 patients scheduled for deceased donor liver transplant [DDLT]. The mean age was 35.9 +/- 16.9 years while the mean body weight was 60.3 +/- 20.9 Kg. Female to male ratio was 21/18. The median packed red blood cell [PRBC] units was 4 [Range 0-40]. There was a significant increase in carboxyhemoglobin level during the anhepatic phase, end of surgery and on ICU admission compared with preoperative value [p < 0.005]. However, there was insignificant changes in methemoglobin level and significant decrease in oxyhemoglobin levels throughout the study period compared to the preoperative value [p < 0.005]. The changes in carboxyhemoglobin level on ICU admission and 24 hrs postoperatively were positively correlated with the changes in serum total bilirubin and prothrombin time [R = 0.35, 0.382, 0.325 and 0.31] respectively p < 0.05] but not with the changes in serum lactic acid. The same strong correlation was found when analysing LDLT and DDLT patients separately between carboxyhemoglobin concentration and PT and total bilirubin while still the correlation with lactic acid was weak. There was no correlation between average perioperative carboxyhemoglobin concentration during different timing of measurements and average units of transfused blood [R = -0.02] p > 0.05. The changes in carboxyhemoglobin level significantly correlate with the changes in graft functions particularly prothrombin time and serum total bilirubin and may be used as an early, rapid and simple test for early evaluation of graft function

Effects of melatonin and zinc on glycemic control in type 2 diabetic patients poorly controlled with metformin

This project was designed to evaluate the effects of melatonin and zinc on the glycemic control in type 2 diabetes mellitus [T2DM] patients with inadequate response to the oral hypoglycemic agent metformin. A placebo controlled, double-blind clinical trial was performed at the Specialized Center for Endocrinology and Diabetes, Al-Rusafa Directorate of Health, Baghdad, Iraq during the period from February to July 2005, in which 46 type 2 diabetic patients were selected and allocated into 3 groups, these groups were treated with single daily oral doses of both 10 mg melatonin and 50 mg zinc acetate alone; 10 mg melatonin and 50 mg zinc acetate in addition to the regularly used metformin or placebo, given at bed time for 90 days. We measured the fasting plasma glucose [FPG], glycated hemoglobin [HbA1C] and serum C-peptide before starting the treatment [zero time] and after 30 and 90 days of treatment. We also performed post-prandial glucose excursion test [PPGE] for selected patients from the second and third groups before starting the treatment and after 90 days. Daily administration of melatonin and zinc improved the impaired fasting and post-prandial glycemic control and decreased the level of glycated hemoglobin; addition of this treatment regimen in combination with metformin improved the tissue responses to this oral hypoglycemic agent. The combination of melatonin and zinc acetate, when used alone or in combination with metformin improves fasting and post-prandial glycemic control in T2DM patients

Production of safe green natural colorant from carrot leaves [Daucus carota L.]

The amount of agricultural wastes seems to be high and could be used to obtain some important products. Carrot wastes represent about 36% of the total crop. These wastes could be used to produce compounds of beneficial and economic values such as natural green coloring matters to be used in manufacturing food products. The results obtained ascertained the possibility of producing natural green colour from carrot [leaves] to be used in food industries. Carrot leaves chlorophyll content degraded to about 50% of the initial content after 1 week storage under refrigerated conditions at 5 degreeC in polyethylene bags. The loss reached to 92% at the end of storage [six weeks] under the same conditions. Gradual increase of pheophytin content occurred during the first 3 weeks of storage and gradually decreased until the end of storage. The best treatment for extraction of green colour from the carrot leaves was by hot water at 95 +/- 3 degree C for 3 minutes containing 0.5% MgO and 1% CaCo3. Natural green colour was obtained as powder using the freeze-drying method. Addition of natural green colour [powder] to some foods increased their ash content. An increase in mineral salts such as Ca, Mg, Fe, Na, Cu and Zn occurred, in addition to improving taste, appearance and overall acceptability of such enriched foods with this natural green colour