[Association of serumomentin levels in women with polycystic ovarian syndrome]

Adipokines, compounds secreted from adipose tissue, are involved in metabolism control. Omentin is one of the adipokines with different biological roles. Serum levels of Omentin were found to be associated with BMI, insulin resistance, metabolic syndrome, diabetes, and cardiovascular disease in several studies. The aim of this study was to assess the association between omentin level and the PolyCystic Ovarian Syndrome. This case-control study was performed on 45 patients with Poly Cystic Ovarian Syndrome and 45 normal individuals as controls. BMI and fasting omentin and insulin serum levels were measured by Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay [ELIZA] method, fasting glucose serum level was measured by enzyme-calorimetric method and insulin resistance index [HOMA-IR] was measured using the relevant equation. Data was analyzed using the independent t-test, Pearson correlation coefficient and by SPSS 16 software. Omentin serum levels in the patient PCOS group were significantly lower in patients with polycystic ovarian syndrome than in controls. Insulin and glucose serum levels in the PCOS group were significantly higher than in controls, indicating these patients had insulin resistance. There was no significant correlation between serum levels of omentin and HOMA-IR between cases and controls. This study shows that serum omentin level decreased in PCOS patient in comparison with BMI-matched controls. The findings of this study suggest that changes in omentin serum level may be considered as a criterion of PCOS

[NK, T and B lymphocyte populations in infertile women]

Many different factors and problems can cause infertility. This study carried out to compare NK, T and B lymphocyte populations in peripheral blood of fertile and infertile women. In this case-control study 30 infertile women and 15 non pregnant women participated. The non pregnant women had a history of at least two alive children as a control group. The monoclonal antibodies and flowcytometry were used for evaluation of T cell subpopulations [CD3, CD4, CD8], B cells [CD22] and NK cells [CD56] in fertile and infertile women. NK cells [CD56] significantly increased in infertile women compared with control groups [P=0.009] and T lymphocytes CD3, CD4 significantly reduced in infertile women compared with fertile women [P=0.013, P=0.004, respectively]. CD4/CD8 ratio reduced in infertile women compared with fertile women [P=0.05]. There was no difference in B cells and CD8 T cells in infertile women compared with controls. This study showed that NK cells increase and CD4 T lymphocytes reduce in infertile women. Our results suggest the immunological alterations may be related to infertility

Serologic activity against HTLV-I in patients with primary sjogren's syndrome in Mashhad, an endemic area

There are accumulating evidences that Human T cell Leukemia Virus type I [HTLV-l] plays a part in the development of Sjogren's Syndrome [SS]. This virus is endemic in some areas of the world. The objective of this study was to estimate the seroprevalence rates of anti-HTLV-l in 55 patients in Mashhad and to determine whether any association between SS patients and HTLV-l could be observed. We recruited 21 patients with primary SS who consecutively attended our Rheumatology Clinic in Ghaem Hospital affiliated to Mashhad University of Medical Sciences in Mashhad, Northeastern Iran during May 1, 2005 to September 30, 2008. Serum samples were screened for HTLV-l, using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay [ELISA]. To compare the seroprevalence rates of HTLV-l found in SS patients with those in the community, we used the viral infection rates calculated for the entire population of blood donors in Mashhad by Blood Transfusion Organization. All patients with SS were negative by ELISA versus HTLV-I. This study demonstrates no prevalence of positivity for HTLV-1 in SS patients in Mashhad. These data are against the role of HTLV-I in the development of SS in our region

[Comparison of sensitivity and specificity of transvaginal sonography, saline infusion sonohysterography and hysteroscopy in evaluation of women with abnormal uterine bleeding]

Bleeding disorders are a common problem in daily practice, especially in premenopausal women. In our investigation, we compared the sensitivity and specificity of three different diagnostic methods; Trans-vaginal sonography [TVS], saline infusion sonohystrography [SIS] and Hysteroscopy. It was a cross-sectional study with a study population of ninety-nine women suffering from AUB attending the outpatient clinic of Imam and Razi hospital in Ahvaz-Iran. They were evaluated by three different diagnostic methods and the results were compared. This study started from March 2008 to December 2008. The sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive and negative predictive values were measured in TVS, SIS, and finally these two methods were compared with hysteroscopy [as a gold standard]. The sensitivity and specificity of TVS was 74.2% and 49.7%, respectively, while that of SIS was 91.6% and 86%, respectively. The positive predictive value and negative predictive value of TVS was 71.9% and 54.3%, respectively, while that of SIS was 85.9% and 85.75%, respectively. The sensitivity, specificity, the positive predictive and negative predictive values of SIS was more than TVS, and it was similar to hysteroscopy. The findings obtained in the present study indicate that in AUB, sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive value of SIS is more than TVS and therefore can be considered as a first step for diagnosis of AUB

effect of bisphosphonate on prevention of glucocorticoid-induced osteoporosis

Glucocorticoid therapy can induce osteoporosis. Bone mineral density [BMD] measurement has been used to assess the risk of fracture in these patients. The most important mechanism is diminished bone formation mainly at the sites with trabecular bone. The objective of this study is to evaluate the effect of alendronate on prevention of glucocorticoid-induced osteoporosis. During 18 months, in a prospective clinical trial, 72 patients with autoimmune disease were randomly divided into 2 equal groups. Group 1 [n=36] was treated with oral vitamin-D, 50000 IU twice weekly and calcium, 500 mg twice daily. Group 2 [n=36] was treated with oral vitamin-D, 50000 IU twice weekly, calcium, 500 mg twice daily, and alendronate, 10 mg per day. The patients were followed clinically, undergoing densitometry and X-ray of the spine and hip area for 18 months. Change of BMD in the lumbar spine after 18 months of therapy was -1/67% and +2.4% in groups 1 and 2, respectively. Change in femoral neck BMD was -2.1% in group 1 and +1.8% in group 2. The administration of alendronate plus vitamin D and calcium was more effective in preventing bone loss due to glucocorticoid-induced osteoporosis than vitamin-D and calcium alone

[Study of 52 cases of osteomalacia]

Osteomalacia is a disorder of bone mineralization secondary to Vitamin D deficiency. Clinical presentation and related parameters in 52 cases and their treatment discussed. This is a discriptive study of patients with osteomalacia which is performed at the departments of rheumatology and endocrines, Mashhad Medical Sciences University. Patients were diagnosed according to clinical presentation, radiological findings, blood tests, and bone biopsy if necessary. Patients were treated either orally with 0/25 micro g Calcitriol or as IM injection of vitamin-D [300000 units]. For the prevention of recurrence, injection was repeated every 6-12 months. Older patients were also recommended to expose themselves to ultraviolet radiation 2-3 times every week. All findings were recorded and later processed using statistical tests. From the 52 patients, 47 were women [90%] and 5 were men [10%]. Clinical presentations were back pain, fatigue and bone tenderness especially in lumbar area, osteopenic symptoms, and gait disorder. 44 patients had Looser's zone which is diagnostic of osteomalacia Based on calculated statistics, a significant reduction in serum Calcium [P< 0.005], phosphorus [P< 0.002], and increased Alkaline phosphatase [P< 0.002] and parathyroid hormone [P< 0.004] was observed. Most of our patients were admitted during winter and early sprin. The disease was more common in young women [age 10-19] than women older than 30 years of age [P< 0.004]. Patients with Vitamin D deficiency were alleviated by Vitamin D treatment. Osteomalacia exists as a silent disease in north east of Iran. The main cause of this is considered to be vitamin D deficiency. Therefore, preventive measures are to be taken