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Background and Objective: Many factors are known to be involved in a number of human pathologies of obesity including serum leptin and thyroid hormones levels. The purpose of this study was to compare the serum levels of leptin and thyroid hormones in obese and non-obese women, in Shiraz-Iran during 2006. Materials and Methods: In this case- control study, 35 women with BMI≥30 Kg/m2 recruited as an obese group (Case group) and 35 women with healthy BMI (BMI<25 Kg/m2) were selected as a control group. General information data were gathered from each sample using questionnaires and face-to-face interviews. Body weight, height, waist and hip circumferences were measured and BMI, WHR and percent of body fat (%TBF) were calculated for each subject. Venous blood samples were drawn from subjects and serum was separated to determine the concentrations of serum leptin and thyroid hormones (T4, T3 and TSH) levels. Results: Mean serum concentration of leptin was significantly higher in obese group than control group (p<0.001). Serum leptin levels positively correlated to anthropometric indices (BMI, WHR, %TBF). No significant difference was observed between obese and non-obese groups in serum thyroid hormones concentration. Serum leptin levels positively related to serum T3 levels (P<0.05). Conclusion: This study indicated that obese women had higher leptin levels compared to non-obese. The interaction between thyroid hormone in particular T3 and leptin can be one of the reason for increasing the serum leptin level among obse women.

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Background and Objective: Unsaturated fatty acids such as turpentine oil can decrease serum leptin level. In regard to this effect and the key role of thyroid hormones and leptin in metabolism. This study was designed to investigate the impact of dietary wild pistachio oil on serum leptin concentration and its relationship with thyroid hormones in experimental hyperthyroidism in male rat. Materials and Methods: In this experimental study thirty white Sprague Dawely adult male rats were divided randomly into the five groups with six rats in each. The first group as a natural control I received only ordinary diet and water during the study period. The second group as a control II received ordinary diet in addition to administration of 12mg Sigma levothyroxine in one liter of water daily for one month. Third, fourth and fifth groups with administration of considered dosage of levothyroxine were received respectively 5%, 10% and 20% concentrations of wild pistachio oil for one month. Blood samples were obtained at 10-day intervals. T4, T3, fT4, fT3 and leptin were measured by RIA and ELISA methods. Serum lipid profiles were measured by enzymatic method. Results: Thyroidal hormones, lipids and leptin level did not show any statistically significant differences between experimental days in the rats of control group I.The serum concentrations of T4, T3, fT4, fT3 in third, T4 in fourth and fifth groups showed significant differences(P<0.05). The serum leptin concentration decreased significantly during the experiment in the third, fourth and fifth groups (P<0.05), but serum lipids did not show any significant differences between various days of experiment. Conclusion: This study showed that the level of T4, T3, fT4, fT3 and HDLc / LDLc ratio at 30th day of study in case groups compaing to controls were decreased and increased, respectively.

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Background and Objective: Menstrual disorders are including of metruragy, oligomenorrhea, polymenorrhea, dysmenorrheal and amenorrhea. Hormonal disorders can be the cause of such abnormalities. This study was designed to evaluate, the correlation between serum thyroid and sex hormones level,with menstrual disorders.

Materials and Methods: This descriptive - analytical study carried out on 110 women with menstrual disorders without anatomical disorders referred to private clinic during 2007-08. In third day of menstrual cycle, sample blood was taken for determination of LH, FSH, PRL, TSH, T3, T4 and Testosterone. Laboratory tests were performed by ELISA method.

Results: The 42.7% of women with menstrual disorders were in age group lower than 25 years. Oligomenorrhea with 42.7% was the major menstrual disorder and amenorrhea was the lowest with 4.5%. The most hormonal disorders was related to T3 (46.3%), LH (44.5%) and testosterone was the lowest with 5.4%. 11 cases (10.0%) have presented with hirsutism.

Conclusion: According to findings of this study T3 and LH are the common hormonal disorders in menstrual abnormalities.

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Background and Objective: Parathyroid proteins involved in calcium homeostasis. With increasing age and other relevant factors, this hormone is not able to perform its role. Using recombinant parathyroid hormone prevent disease progression and effective in improvement of disease. This study was done to design and build the desired construct genes, cloning process and synthesis of soluble parathyroid hormone in E. coli. Methods: In this laboratory study, design and optimization sequence of the gene parathyroid hormone (PTH) was carried out for expression of soluble proteins in bacteria. The construct contining PTH gene (puc 57) transformed into bacteria and cultivation was done in SOB medium then Plasmid extraction was performed. Fragment encoding the PTH was isolated by digestion of the cloning vector and ligate to expression vector (PET-32a). Subcloning process followed by induction with IPTG 1mM. The recombinant parathyroid hormon was expressed in bacteria, subsequently. Results: After enzymatic digestion, the fragment encoding the protein of interest was properly localized. The process was confirmed by polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Following performing a transformation, induction process performed by IPTG with final concentration 1mM that caused the soluble parathyroid proteins to be expressed in bacteria and the process was confirmed by Western blot technique. Conclusion: Protein expression in bacteria due to its rapid growth and the need to inexpensive medium is cost-effective. Soluble recombinant protein expression reduces downstream of recombinant protein production.

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Background and Objective: Hyperlipidemia can be considered as one of the main risk factor, involved in cardiovascular disease and it is a major cause of death. This study was done to determine the effect of air part of Echinophora platyloba extract on Pituitary - thyroid axis hormones and lipid profile in hypercholesterolemic rats.

Methods: In this experimental study, 40 male Wistar rats were randomly allocated into 5 groups (n=8) including control group with normal diet, hypercholesterolemic group along with high cholesterol diet, and the three treatment groups with hypercholesterolemia which animals were received daily doses of 100, 200 and 300 mg/kg/bw of the hydroalcoholic extract of Echinophora platyloba, respectively by gavage during 42 days. At the end of this period, blood sample was obtained. Lipid profile, including total cholesterol, triglycerides (TG), low-density lipoprotein (LDL), very low-density lipoprotein (VLDL), high density lipoprotein (HDL), triiodothyronine (T3), thyroxine (T4) and thyroid hormone stimulation (TSH) were measeared using Radioimnoassay method.

Results: The level of LDL and cholesterol and TG, significantly reduced in treated group receiving the lowest dose of the extract (100 mg/kg/bw) in compare to hypercholesterolemic group (P<0.05). The level of HDL, TSH and T4 significantly increased in the treated group receiving the highest doses of the extract (300 mg/kg/bw) in compare to hypercholesterolemic group (P<0.05).

Conclusion: Echinophora platyloba extract dose dependly can alter Pituitary- thyroid axis hormones and lipid profile in hypercholesterolemic rats.