Kisspeptin levels in relation to sex hormone profile among PCOS patients.

INTRODUCTION: Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a common endocrine disease among women in the reproductive age that is associated with consequences such as insulin resistance and hyperandrogenemia. This study was aimed to assess the association of sex hormone profile and kisspeptin levels in PCOS women in Gorgan, Iran. METHODS: In this case-control study, 43 women with diagnosed PCOS between the ages of 15 and 37 years and 40 healthy demographically matched controls were recruited. Sex hormone profile and kisspeptin levels were measured in these subjects using ELISA assay kits. RESULTS: Follicle stimulating hormone (FSH), sex hormone binding globulin (SHBG), and kisspeptin levels were significantly lower in cases than in controls. Luteinizing hormone (LH), free-testosterone (FT), 17-OH-progesterone (17-OH-P), dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate (DHEA-S), estradiol (E2), and free androgen index (FAI) were higher in PCOS significantly. There was a significant positive correlation between kisspeptin levels and LH and E2 in cases (p = 0.037 and p = 0.024, respectively). The results of the regression analysis have shown a significant association between the LH and kisspeptin concentrations in PCOS group (r = 0.275, p = 0.037). CONCLUSION: PCOS patients had lower plasma kisspeptin level that was positively correlated with LH and estradiol levels. Also, higher levels of free androgens were demonstrated in these patients. It is suggested that kisspeptin may be involved in complex interactions of the sex hormone endocrine system of PCOS.

A survey of urinary iodine concentration in south-east of Caspian Sea in northern, Iran.

The objective of this study was to evaluate the urinary iodine concentration in Gorgan located in northern Iran, which is a cosmopolitan society and on the basis of such determination the endemic goiter in the region could be estimated. The sample population were a total of 287 people (23.3% male, 76.7% female) referred to Danesh Medical Diagnostic Laboratory for the urinary iodine measurement, during 2004-05. Urinary iodine level was determined using acid digestion method. The results from this study indicated that 2.1, 3.8 and 9.8% of sample population had urinary iodine level of <2, 2-4.9 and 5-9.9 microg dL(-1), respectively which are defined as sever, moderate and mild iodine deficiency. Therefore 45 (15.7%) of the sample population in this study could be assessed for goiter prevalence, the mean differences of iodine concentration in male and female subjects were not significant. In conclusion, low urinary iodine of <10 microg dL(-1) concentration may help to give a direction for a further examination in the thyroid gland abnormalities.