Association between serum uric acid and bone health in adolescents.

Previous studies are suggestive of the protective role of uric acid on bone in the middle-aged and elderly. Whether this association exists in younger individuals has not been examined. This investigation showed a significant positive association between serum uric acid and bone parameters among Iranian adolescents. INTRODUCTION: Uric acid (UA) might be linked to bone health, but it is unclear whether its effects on bone are limited to certain population subgroups. This study is aimed at investigating the correlation between serum uric acid levels and bone mineral density (BMD) in Iranian adolescents. METHODS: This cross-sectional study was conducted on 413 (221 girls and 192 boys) Iranian adolescents aged 9-19 years. An analysis of anthropometric, biochemical parameters and bone density was performed on the participants. Measurements included serum uric acid, calcium, phosphorus, alkaline phosphatase, albumin, and vitamin D. They were divided according to their serum UA into the low UA group who had UA ≤ 6 mg/dL and the high UA group with UA > 6 mg/dL. BMD and bone mineral content (BMC) were measured in the total body, lumbar spine, and left femoral neck, using dual energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA), and bone mineral apparent density (BMAD) was calculated. RESULTS: A Pearson correlation analysis revealed a significant correlation between UA and bone parameters. In multiple regression analyses adjusted for potential confounders, serum UA was proven to be associated with BMD and BMC at all sites. There was no association between UA, serum calcium, and vitamin D concentrations. CONCLUSION: Our study, as the first research on adolescents, demonstrated a higher bone density in those who had higher UA levels.

Investigating the effect of testosterone by itself and in combination with letrozole on 1,25-dihydroxy vitamin D and FGF23 in male rats.

BACKGROUND: Testosterone deficiency might be associated with vitamin D levels in hypogonadal men, but it is not clear whether testosterone can affect vitamin D and fibroblast growth factor-23 (FGF23), either directly or indirectly via aromatization to estradiol. We aimed to investigate the role of testosterone on vitamin D metabolism and serum FGF23 in male rats. METHODS: A total of 48 male rats were divided into 4 equal groups: sham; O, orchiectomy; O + T, orchiectomized rats treated with testosterone; and O + T + L, orchiectomized rats treated with combination of testosterone and letrozole. We compare the vitamin D metabolism biochemical parameters in these four groups, before and after the study. RESULTS: We detected a significant reduction in 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH)D), vitamin D binding protein (DBP), FGF23, and 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D (1,25(OH)2D) serum level in O group compared to sham group (p = 0.004, p = 0.009, p < 0.001 and p < 0.001, respectively), and a significant increase in serum phosphorus, parathyroid hormone (PTH), and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) levels in orchiectomized rats in comparison to sham group (p < 0.001, p = 0.022, and p = 0.006, respectively). However, these changes were corrected by testosterone replacement in O + T and O + T + L groups. In addition, we found that DBP and 1,25(OH)2D serum levels were significantly higher in O + T group in comparison to O + T + L group (p = 0.030 and p = 0.026, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: Testosterone plays a significant role on regulating 25(OH)D, DBP, FGF23, phosphate (Phos), PTH, and 1,25(OH)2D serum levels in male rats. Also, testosterone has a potent effect on 1,25(OH)2D and DBP by its conversion to estradiol.

Resveratrol reduces albuminuria in diabetic nephropathy: A randomized double-blind placebo-controlled clinical trial.

AIM: Albuminuria is the most important indicator of diabetic nephropathy (DN). Resveratrol, a natural compound found in grape skins and red wine, has antioxidant effects. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of resveratrol on DN. METHODS: In this randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial, 60 patients with type 2 diabetes and albuminuria were randomly assigned to receive either resveratrol (500mg/day) or placebo for 90 days. Losartan (12.5mg/day) was also administered to all participants. Primary outcomes were urinary albumin/creatinine ratio, estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) and serum creatinine levels. Secondary outcomes were oxidative stress markers, and anthropometric and biochemical measures. RESULTS: Mean urine albumin/creatinine ratio was significantly reduced in the resveratrol group vs placebo (-46.4mg/g, 95% CI: -64.5 to -28.3 vs 29.9mg/g, 95% CI: 4.9 to 54.9; P<0.001), whereas eGFR (1.7mL/min/1.73m2, 95% CI: -3.4 to 6.8 vs -4.0, 95% CI: -8.2 to 0.2; P=0.08) and serum creatinine (-0.3mg/dL, 95% CI: -0.1 to 0.1 vs 0.1mg/dL, 95% CI: -0.0 to 0.1; P=0.13) were unchanged. Serum antioxidant enzymes were significantly increased with resveratrol. After adjusting for confounding variables, the effect of resveratrol in reducing urinary albumin excretion was still significant (P<0.001). Regression analysis revealed that every 1-cm decrease in waist circumference and 1-µmol/L increase in nitric oxide (NO) was associated with 9.4mg/g and 4.0mg/g reductions, respectively, of urine albumin/creatinine ratio. CONCLUSION: This clinical trial has shown that resveratrol may be an effective adjunct to angiotensin receptor blockers (ARBs) for reducing urinary albumin excretion in patients with DN (ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT02704494).

Effects of selenium and vitamin C on the serum level of antithyroid peroxidase antibody in patients with autoimmune thyroiditis.

PURPOSE: Selenium (Se), an essential trace element, has been implicated in pathogenesis of autoimmune thyroiditis (AIT). Most studies attributed the immune modulating effects of Se to its antioxidant properties. However, there is insufficient evidence to support the use of selenium supplementation or other antioxidants in patients with AIT. This clinical trial was designed to investigate the impact of Se and vitamin C supplementation on antithyroid peroxidase antibody (TPO-Ab) level in patients with AIT. METHODS: One hundred and two subjects aged 15-78 years were randomized into three groups. Group one (GI) (n = 38) was treated with 200 µg/day sodium selenite, group two (GII) (n = 36) received 500 mg vitamin C/day, and group three (GIII) (n = 28) received placebo over a 3-month period. Thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH), TPO-Ab, antithyroglobulin antibody (Tg-Ab) and Se concentrations were once measured before treatment and at the end of the study. RESULTS: After 3 months, TPO-Ab concentrations decreased within Se and vitamin C-treated groups, but did not change in the placebo subjects. In this regard, there was no significant difference between the groups. We also did not find any statistically significant difference in TSH and Tg-Ab levels within and between the groups. At the end of the study, Se level was significantly higher in GI compared with GII and GIII. CONCLUSION: Our findings supported the hypothesis of antioxidant beneficial effects of Se in AIT. However, it was not superior to vitamin C, regarding its effects on thyroid-specific antibodies.

Effect of Cholecalciferol therapy on serum FGF23 in vitamin D deficient patients: a randomized clinical trial.

INTRODUCTION: Fibroblast growth factor-23 plays an important role in regulating systemic phosphate homeostasis, and vitamin D metabolism. However, the effect of Cholecalciferol therapy on FGF23 serum level in patients with vitamin D deficiency has not been studied, yet. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This is a double-blind, randomized clinical trial on 119 vitamin D deficient patients in 2016. Biochemical variables of treatment and placebo groups were analyzed after 12 weeks of 50,000 IU of Cholecalciferol vs. placebo therapy once a week, by SPSS18. RESULTS: After Cholecalciferol therapy, delta of serum PTH in treatment group was less than the controls (P < 0.001). However, delta values of serum 25(OH)D3, 1,25(OH)2D3 and FGF23 in vitamin D treated group were more than the placebo-treated ones (P < 0.001, P = 0.002, and P = 0.04, respectively). Moreover, FGF23 serum level in treatment group was associated with serum calcium (P = 0.005, r = -0.256), and serum 1,25(OH)2D3 (P < 0.001, r = 0.529). CONCLUSIONS: We propose that in these patients 1,25(OH)2D3 has a positive association with serum FGF23, and hypostasized that serum calcium might be a down regulator of serum FGF23.

Proinsulin C-peptide inhibits lipolysis in diabetic rat adipose tissue through phosphodiestrase-3B enzyme.

We have previously reported that C-peptide modulates insulin-mediated inhibition of lipolysis and glucose consumption but has no significant effects per se on adipose tissue of normal rats. It has been repeatedly observed that certain actions of C-peptide are restricted to the diabetic states. In the present study, therefore, we examined whether C-peptide alters lipolysis in adipose tissue of diabetic rats. Rats were rendered diabetic by streptozotocin and divided into 2 groups; insulin treated and untreated. Retroperitoneal adipose tissue was excised aseptically, subjected to organ culture and incubated with rat C-peptide, insulin, or a combination of both peptides in the presence or absence of isoproterenol. Tissue lipolysis was assessed by the rate of glycerol release into the culture media. The cultures were pretreated with cilostamide, a phosphodiesterase-3B enzyme inhibitor, when the role of this enzyme was to be examined. C-Peptide on its own, like insulin, significantly inhibited isoproterenol-stimulated lipolysis in the adipose tissue of untreated diabetic rats. The effect was enhanced by a combination of C-peptide and insulin. Notably, the C-peptide's effect was totally blocked in the presence of cilostamide. In the adipose tissue of insulin treated rats, however, C-peptide failed to show any significant antilipolytic effects. These data show that C-peptide has the potential to act, conditionally, as an antilipolytic hormone by activating phosphodiesterase-3B and suggest that the action may contribute to the C-peptide's beneficial effects on diabetes-induced complications.

Insulin resistance and metabolic syndrome: is Helicobacter pylori criminal?

Insulin resistance and metabolic syndrome are contributors to atherosclerosis and coronary heart disease. Insulin resistance is also responsible in pathogenesis of type II diabetes. Several studies previously evaluated the role of H. pylori infection in coronary heart disease and type II diabetes. Recently published data have described the association between H. pylori infection with insulin resistance and metabolic syndrome. However, this is still a controversial subject. Here in, we reviewed current status and present data toward this topic.

Effects of rat C-peptide-II on lipolysis and glucose consumption in cultured rat adipose tissue.

Existing data show that C-peptide (CP) prevents or ameliorates diabetes-related complications mainly by improving microcirculation and perhaps metabolism. Although effects of CP on muscle glucose consumption are relatively well studied, its effects on adipose tissue, a key organ involved in metabolism, are not well known. Therefore, the aim of this study was to examine the effects of CP on basal and stimulated lipolysis and glucose consumption in rat retroperitoneal (RP) adipose tissue, using an EX-VIVO organ culture setting. The RP adipose tissue was excised from adult male rats, minced and subjected to EX-VIVO culture for 24 h. The tissue fragments were then weighted and distributed into a 24-well culture plate. The wells were left untreated (basal) or treated with insulin or isoproternol (ISO, stimulated) and incubated in the absence or presence of CP, insulin or a combination of the both peptides. Levels of lipolysis and tissue glucose consumption were determined by glycerol and glucose concentrations measurement in the infranatant conditioned media collected from each well. The CP, like insulin, induced an insignificant reduction in basal lipolysis. While insulin significantly reduced the ISO-stimulated lipolysis, CP was ineffective. Tissue glucose consumption was significantly stimulated by insulin, but was not affected by CP. However, in the presence of CP, inhibitory effect on ISO-stimulated lipolysis and stimulatory effect on glucose consumption of insulin were significantly diminished. Our data suggest that CP may conditionally modulate certain metabolic actions of insulin in RP adipose tissue. These modulations may contribute to fine-tuning of body metabolism under physiologic or pathologic conditions.

Type-1 diabetes induces depot-specific alterations in adipocyte diameter and mass of adipose tissues in the rat.

Type-1 diabetes (T1D) is a metabolic disorder associated with massive reduction in mass of adipose tissue. Measuring cell diameter, an index of fat metabolism, we determined depot-specific alterations in weight of adipose tissue, fat cell diameter and size heterogeneity and distribution at 5 depots in streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetic rats. T1D was induced by a single injection of STZ. Seven days after the injection, fat depots were isolated, weighted, washed and maintained in tissue culture medium. Using a microscope equipped with calibrated micrometer, cell diameter as well as size distribution pattern and heterogeneity of adipocytes were determined in fresh tissue slices of subcutaneous (SC), proximal epididymal (PE), distal epididymal (DE), perirenal (PR) and retroperitoneal (RP) fat depots. The T1D induced marked reductions in fat mass and mean of fat cell diameter at all depots. The most affected depot was the SC. With the exception of PE, adipocytes at all depots showed significant increases in size heterogeneity. The effect of the diabetes on mean fat cell diameter and size heterogeneity was minimal at PE depot. Depots with similar cell size distribution pattern exhibited similar fat mass reduction. However, the DE depot with a unique cell size distribution pattern showed a fat mass reduction similar to that of PE and PR depots. These data indicate that T1D induces a massive fat mass reduction in a reasonably depot-specific manner and that the fat depots close to survival organs are less vulnerable to fat mobilization. Moreover, peculiar disagreement between cell size distribution and heterogeneity as well as the level of fat mass reduction at DE and PE depots suggests that not only cell size and heterogeneity but also local factors may play roles in depot-specific fat mobilization.

Persistence of goitre in children post-salt iodization in Islamic Republic of Iran: autoimmune status.

We evaluated the prevalence of autoimmune thyroiditis in a random sample of 1188 schoolchildren aged 8-13 years with normalized iodine intake in the Islamic Republic of Iran. The prevalence of goitre was 39.6%; the majority had palpable but non-visible goitre. Of a subsample of 500 children, median urinary iodine excretion (18/8 microg/dL) indicated normal iodine intake. Thyroid peroxidase (TPO) antibody was positive in 3.7% of children and was significantly correlated with the prevalence of goitre and hypothyroidism. No correlation was seen between urinary iodine excretion and positive TPO antibody, mean TPO antibody, hypothyroidism or prevalence of goitre. Autoimmune thyroiditis explains some cases of goitre but other goitrogenic factors need to be evaluated.

Serum folate and vitamin B12 status in healthy Iranian adults.

To assess the serum folate and vitamin B12 status in healthy Iranian adults, we designed a population-based cross-sectional study of 1200 individuals aged 20-80 years. Finally 984 participants (507 men and 477 women) were assessed. The mean serum folate was 4.61 (SD 2.40) ng/mL and the mean serum vitamin B12 level was 265.6 (SD 170.9) pg/mL. Overall 1.0% were folate deficient and 25.8% had low vitamin B12 levels according to the manufacturer's reference ranges (folate < 1.5 ng/mL and vitamin B12 < 160 pg/mL). The mean serum folate and vitamin B12 levels were significantly lower in men. The prevalence of vitamin B12 deficiency was considerably higher than folate deficiency. Implementation of preventive measures seems to be necessary.

Serum folate and vitamin B[12] status in healthy Iranian adults

To assess the serum folate and vitamin B[12] status in healthy Iranian adults, we designed a population-based cross-sectional study of 1200 individuals aged 20-80 years. Finally 984 participants [507 men and 477 women] were assessed. The mean serum folate was 4.61 [SD 2.40] ng/mL and the mean serum vitamin B[12] level was 265.6 [SD 170.9] pg/mL. Overall 1.0% were folate deficient and 25.8% had low vitamin B[12] levels according to the manufacturer's reference ranges [folate < 1.5 ng/mL and vitamin B[12] < 160 pg/mL]. The mean serum folate and vitamin B[12] levels were significantly lower in men. The prevalence of vitamin B[12] deficiency was considerably higher than folate deficiency. Implementation of preventive measures seems to be necessary

Persistence of goitre in children post-salt iodization in Islamic Republic of Iran: autoimmune status

We evaluated the prevalence of autoimmune thyroiditis in a random sample of 1188 schoolchildren aged 8-13 years with normalized iodine intake in the Islamic Republic of Iran. The prevalence of goitre was 39.6%; the majority had palpable but non-visible goitre. Of a subsample of 500 children, median urinary iodine excretion [18/8 microg/dL] indicated normal iodine intake. Thyroid peroxidase [TPO] antibody was positive in 3.7% of children and was significantly correlated with the prevalence of goitre and hypothyroidism. No correlation was seen between urinary iodine excretion and positive TPO antibody, mean TPO antibody, hypothyroidism or prevalence of goitre. Autoimmune thyroiditis explains some cases of goitre but other goitrogenic factors need to be evaluated

Safety of topical methimazole for the treatment of melasma. Transdermal absorption, the effect on thyroid function and cutaneous adverse effects.

Methimazole is an oral antithyroid compound that exhibits a skin-depigmenting effect when used topically. However, the effect of topical methimazole on thyroid function has not been reported. This study was aimed at assessing the safety of topical methimazole used to treat pigmented lesions, without affecting thyroid hormones due to systemic delivery. The pharmacokinetics of methimazole, either applied in the form of a 5% topical formulation to facial skin or taken orally in the form of a 5-mg tablet by 6 volunteers, were determined. In addition, the effect of long-term topical applications of 5% methimazole on the function of the thyroid gland in 20 patients with epidermal melasma was determined following 6 weeks of once-daily application. Cutaneous adverse effects of topical methimazole were determined. From 15 min up to 24 h after application, methimazole was undetectable in the serum of the individuals receiving single topical methimazole dosing. Methimazole, however, was detected in serum after 15 min of oral administration and remained detectable in serum up to 24 h after administration. Long-term topical methimazole applications in melasma patients did not induce any significant changes in serum TSH, free thyroxine and free triiodothyronine levels. Topical methimazole was well tolerated by the patients and did not induce any significant cutaneous side effects. Present data together with the previously shown non-cytotoxic and non-mutagenic characteristics of methimazole indicate that this agent could be considered as a safe skin-depigmenting compound for topical treatment of skin hyperpigmentary disorders in humans.

Effect of menopause and renal function on vitamin D status in Iranian women.

The effects of menopause and renal function on serum parameters of the vitamin D-endocrine system were studied in a cross-sectional sample of 676 healthy women aged 20-74 years in Shiraz. Low serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25-OHD) was found in 52.9% of the women. Serum parathyroid hormone (PTH) increased significantly over the age span in premenopausal women (r= 0.13, P= 0.02). In premenopausal and postmenopausal women, serum levels of 25-OHD, phosphorus and calcium were stable across the age span. There was no significant correlation between creatinine clearance or serum PTH (r= -0.016, P= 0.66) and 25-OHD (r= 0.012, P= 0.74). The high prevalence of vitamin D deficiency warrants consideration of dietary supplementation.

Association of IL-18 promoter polymorphisms with predisposition to Type 1 diabetes.

AIMS: IL-18, a potent IFN-gamma-inducing cytokine, is capable of polarizing the immune response to a Th1 phenotype. Recent studies have demonstrated an association between single-nucleotide polymorphisms located at positions -607 (A/C) and -137 (C/G) in the promoter region of IL-18 gene and Type 1 diabetes. The aim of the present study was to determine whether the same polymorphisms of the gene were associated with Type 1 diabetes in Iranians. METHODS: In 112 patients with Type 1 diabetes and 194 non-diabetic control subjects, these two single-nucleotide polymorphisms were analysed by sequence-specific PCR. RESULTS: Allele and genotype frequencies of the IL-18 gene polymorphisms were similar in the whole group of Type 1 diabetic patients and controls. However, categorizing patients according to age at onset of diabetes revealed a significant difference in distribution of the genotypes at position -137 between patients with older age at onset (> 15 years) (GG 49%, GC 34%, CC 17%) and control subjects (GG 57.7%, GC 36.6%, CC 5.7%) (P = 0.027). Frequency of the C allele at position -137 was significantly higher in these patients than in controls (P = 0.038). Moreover, there was an association between -607AA/-137CC genotype combination and susceptibility to Type 1 diabetes in this subgroup of patients (pc = 0.027). CONCLUSIONS: The results of this study show that polymorphisms of IL-18 promoter confer susceptibility to Type 1 diabetes in Iranian individuals with onset at older ages. Further investigations are necessary to clarify the effect of IL-18 variants on immune regulation.

Homocysteine level and coronary artery disease.

Atherosclerosis, and its most common manifestation, coronary artery disease (CAD), are rather common causes of morbidity and mortality worldwide. Recognition of its various risk factors is important to planning effective preventive measures. After the homocysteine theory was presented in 1969, attention has been directed toward the serum homocysteine level as a coronary artery disease risk factor. The authors aimed to assess the relationship between hyperhomocysteinemia and CAD in an Iranian population. In a case control study, 197 individuals (male: 123 [62.4%]) who were scheduled for coronary angiography were selected. Venous samples were taken from the patients in fasting state before angiography. Data about age, sex, risk factors (eg, hypertension, diabetes, smoking, hyperlipidemia, obesity) were obtained from prepared questionnaires. Homocysteine levels in patients were measured by ELISA method. A homocysteine level above 15 mumol/liter was considered high. Angiography reports and homocysteine levels were analyzed by independent sample t test, one-way ANOVA, multiple linear regression, and stratified analysis. In comparison with the patients with normal angiography reports (32.5%), patients with abnormal angiography reports (67.5%) had increased levels of homocysteine (p = 0.001). About 28.1% of patients with normal angiography reports had hyperhomocysteinemia. After further evaluation, linear correlations were detected between the numbers of involved vessels and homocysteine level (p = 0.000). Multiple linear regression analysis of data detected that in individuals without any risk factors, the relationship was stronger and more meaningful (p = 0.000). These data show that hyperhomocysteinemia is related to CAD as an independent risk factor. In individuals without any risk factors a linear correlation between homocysteine level and numbers of coronary artery involvement was present. If this equation is confirmed prospectively in other studies, the level of plasma homocysteine may he used as a noninvasive way of predicting the number of diseased coronary arteries.

Effect of menopause and renal function on vitamin D status in Iranian women

The effects of menopause and renal function on serum parameters of the vitamin D-endocrine system were studied in a cross-sectional sample of 676 healthy women aged 20-74 years in Shiraz. Low serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D [25-OHD] was found in 52.9% of the women. Serum parathyroid hormone [PTH] increased significantly over the age span in premenopausal women [r= 0.13, P= 0.02]. In premenopausal and postmenopausal women, serum levels of 25-OHD, phosphorus and calcium were stable across the age span. There was no significant correlation between creatinine clearance or serum PTH [r= -0.016, P= 0.66] and 25-OHD [r= 0.012, P= 0.74]. The high prevalence of vitamin D deficiency warrants consideration of dietary supplementation

Association of red blood cell 5-methyltetrahydrofolate folate with bone mineral density in postmenopausal Iranian women.

Recent studies have suggested that hyperhomocysteinemia and low plasma folate are associated with fracture and also bone mineral density (BMD) and that they may contribute to the pathogenicity of osteoporosis in postmenopausal women. However, as plasma total homocysteine (tHcy) and plasma folate can be regarded as short-term markers when compared to a long-term variable such as BMD, in this study we tested the hypothesis that low red blood cell 5-methyltetrahydrofolate (RBC 5-MTHFR) as a long-term marker of the folate status may be a better predictor of BMD than plasma 5-MTHF, and its deficiency may contribute to the pathogenicity of osteoporosis in postmenopausal Iranian women. The BMD at the femoral neck and lumbar spine (measured by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry, DXA) together with anthropometric and biochemical components of the homocysteine re-methylation pathway including plasma tHcy, 5-MTHF and vitamin B12, RBC 5-MTHF and creatinine were determined in 366 postmenopausal women. RBC 5-MTHF was more highly correlated with BMD at the lumbar spine (r=0.21, P=0.001) and femoral neck (r=0.19, P=0.004) than was plasma 5-MTHF (lumbar spine; r=0.14, P=0.03 and femoral neck; r=0.17, P=0.006). Stepwise multiple linear regression analyses revealed that RBC 5-MTHF was one of the predictors of BMD explaining 4.3 and 4.0% variance of BMD at the lumbar spine and femoral neck, respectively, whereas plasma 5-MTHF was excluded in the model and not determined to be a predictor of BMD at both the lumbar spine and femoral neck when adjusted for age, BMI, years since menopause and RBC 5-MTHF. This study suggests that RBC 5-MTHF is a better predictor of BMD than plasma 5-MTHFR when compared to a long-term marker such as BMD, and its deficiency is associated with low BMD that may contribute to the pathogenicity of osteoporosis in postmenopausal women.

Serum leptin level in patients with functional dyspepsia.

UNLABELLED: BACKGROUND/GOAL: Previous studies have shown that leptin plays a major role in the amount of food consumption. Recently, leptin and its receptors have been found in the human gastric mucosa. The aim of this study was to seek any possible correlation between serum leptin level and subtypes and pathological findings in functional dyspepsia. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In a prospective study, we randomly select 44 patients as dysmotility-like and ulcer-like dyspepsia (according to ROME II criteria) in two equivalent groups and compared them with 22 healthy volunteers control group who matched the patients in relation to age, sex and body mass index. From each patient, a fasting blood sample for leptin level and two antral biopsies for evaluating the intensity of gastritis and Helicobacter pylori infection were provided and compared with the control group. RESULTS: Compared to the control group, serum leptin level was significantly higher in patients with dysmotility-like dyspepsia (P < 0.05). Leptin level were also significantly correlated with the presence of gastritis and H. pylori infection (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Leptin may have a role in the pathogenesis of the dysmotility variety of non-ulcer dyspepsia through mechanisms other than H. pylori infection. Further studies based on gastric leptin immunohistochemistry may need correlation between symptoms of functional dyspepsia and gastric leptin expression.