Background: Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a heterogeneous endocrine disorder affecting 4-12% of reproductive women worldwide; characterized by chronic anovulation, clinical and/or biochemical hyperandrogenism, and polycystic ovaries on ultrasound scan. Ovarian androgen overproduction is the key pathophysiologic feature of PCOS. A number of genes encoding major enzymes of the androgen metabolic pathways have been examined and associations reported, however, these associations have not been unanimous. The CYP19 gene encodes aromatase (P450 arom) is a key steroidogenic enzyme that catalyzes the estrogen biosynthesis by converting testosterone and androstenedione to estradiol and estrone separately. Several polymorphisms of CYP19 gene were associated with variation in serum androgen concentrations among women. SNP rs2414096 in the CYP19 gene is linked with hyperandrogenism. The androgen effect at the molecular level is mediated through activation of androgen receptor (AR). A (CAG)n repeat polymorphism in exon 1 of the AR gene influences the transactivation of the receptor, resulting variation in androgen activity that could be related to a number of clinical conditions. Variation in the AR (CAG) n repeat may serve as a risk factor for the conditions sensitive to androgen levels. In view of the evidence implicating the importance of AR (CAG) n and CYP19 SNP rs2414096 in androgen metabolic pathways, we aimed to investigate the possible interactive role of the AR and CYP 19 genes in the phenotypic expression of PCOS in Indian women.Materials and Methods: The study was carried out in 346 individuals comprising of 189 patients and 157 normal women as controls. Samples were obtained from Modern Government Hospital, Hyderabad, India after obtaining institional ethical committee (Osmania University). DNA was isolated and ARMS PCR was performed by designing tetra primers for cyp19 rs2414096 and flanking primers for CAG repeats in exon-1of AR gene. Products were analysed using 2% agarose and 10% polyacrylamide gel for both the genes respectively.Results: Results showed 4%, 89%, 7% of AA, AG, GG genotypes in patients and 10%, 82%, and 9% in controls respectively. AA genotype was significantly elevated in the control group compared to patients suggesting protective role of this genotype to PCOS (p<0.05). The CAG repeat number varied between 13-27 with a mode of 22 repeats in controls. Individuals with <22 repeats were higher in patient group compared to the controls (70% vs 56%). When gene interaction was considered, GG with <22 CAG repeats has emerged out as the highly susceptible combination for PCOS. Further, genotypes in relation to various clinical features (Hirsutism, acanthosis, ALOPECIA, acne) and anthropometric measures (BMI, W/H) were analysis using Logistic regression analysis. The susceptible genotype showed significant influence on some of these features.Conclusion: The findings of the present study support an interactive role of CYP 19 and AR gene variants in the hyperandrogenic phenotype of PCOS.

Introduction: Zinc is an essential trace element in human. Its major biochemical role being as constituent in a variety of metalloenzyme systems with catalytic functions. Zinc deficiency which causes lesions, ALOPECIA and has linked to growth retardation and mental disturbance is relatively easily treated with zinc supplements. In contracts, serious exposure to zinc oxide may cause zinc toxicity. In this study, some biochemical and hematological serum parameters which are possibly resulted zinc toxicity, were investigated. Materials & Methods: In this study blood samples of 18 normal inviduals and 18 workers which were exposed to ZnO for at least 10 years were collected and the concentration of zinc and copper were measured by atomic absorption. The coulter counter was used for determination of CBC, Hb and HCT. The amount of iron, TIBC and the all types of lipids were also measured using different kits. Results: The results showed that the mean serum concentration of zinc in workers and healthy volunteers were 144 ±17 pg/dl and 114±15 pg/dl respectively. Serum levels of iron, TIBC and Hb were reduced by 10.6, 12. 7 and 10.1percent compare to normal range respectively. These parameters were not significantly different in workers compare to healthy volunteers. Changes in copper and lipids were also not significantly different. Discussion: This study showed that in spite of elevation in serum zinc level in workers, other biochemical (serum copper, iron and lipid protein) and hematological (Hb, hematocnit and CBC) parameters have not be affected which might be due to the duration for the toxicity.

Background and purpose: Psychological health is one of the most important social and scientific subjects in the world. Patients with somatic and particularly dermatological diseases are at risk of psychological disorder. This study was performed to evaluate psychological health problems of patients with skin disorder attending the dermatological clinics in Sari in 2004. Materials and methods: This is a descriptive study performed on patients with dermatological diseases in Sari using GHQ-28 and demographic questionares. The data were analysed by chi-square test using SPSS program. Results: 404 subjects (325, 80.4% female) were enrolled in this study. The mean age of the subjects was 28.72 years (range 15-65). Incidence of psychoccognitive disorders was 52/6% in patients aged 46-55 yr, 41.2% in womens, 40.8% in single patients, 46.2/% in rural subjects, 62.5% in illiterate or lessliterate people, 57.8% in jobless individual, 65/8% in subjects with positive past history of psychological disorders and 63.6% in patients with diffuse skin lesions. The most common diagnosis in the sample population was acne (28.2%), pigmentation disorder (20%), androgenetic ALOPECIA (7.4%) and dermatitis (6.7%). The incidence of psychocongective disorders was 44.4% in patients with dermatitis, 43% in acne and 42% in pigmentation disorders. Statistically significant differences were observed between the psychic disorder and job & literacy level and positive past history of psychological diseases (p<0.05). However, there was no significant relation between psychic disorder and duration & type of skin diseases. Conclusion: In this study, 39.4 % of patients with skin disorders affected by psychological problems, this is higher than that reported from other countries. This result reveals a close relation between dermatological and psychological factors which should be considered by dermatologists in effective treatment of skin disorders.    

Introduction: Finasteride, a synthetic 4-azasteroid compound, is a competitive and specific inhibitor of type II 5-a-reductase, an intracellular enzyme that converts testosterone into dihydrotestosterone (DHT). Finasteride is prescribed for nearly all disturbances related to DHT concentration such as benign prostatic hyperplasia, male-pattern androgenetic ALOPECIA, hirsutism, acne and seborrhea. Since finasteride is frequently prescribed in men, the effects of different doses of finasteride on the number of spermatogonia, Sertoli and Leydig cells have been investigated in the present study.Materials & Methods: Forty mature male Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into five groups of eight. The first group was kept as the control group and received nothing. The second or the sham group, only received distilled water orally, but the last three experimental groups respectively received 25, 50 and 100mg/kg of BW/d doses of finasteride orally for a 32-day period. Then photomicrographs of testis tissues were studied and the results of the five groups were statistically analyzed by ANOVA, t, Tukey and Duncan tests. P<0.05 was considered significant.Results: Administration of 50 and 100mg/kg per BW doses of finasteride significantly decreased the number of spermatogonia and 50mg/kg doses reduced the number of primary spermatocytes (p≤0.05). The number of Sertoli cells had no significant difference in the experimental groups in comparison with the control group but there was a significant increase in the number of Leydig cells in all of the experimental groups (p≤0.05). This drug did not have any significant effects on the density of different kinds of cells, and nuclear or cytoplasmic staining properties of spermatogonia.Conclusion: Finasteride causes a significant decrease in the number of spermatogonia and primary spermatocytes. It also causes a significant increase in the number of Leydig cells but it does not have any significant histological effects on the testis or any effects on spermatogenesis. Therefore, it seems that short-term uses of the medication may not have harmful effects on male fertility.

Background: The evaluation of the menopausal women for determining the early and late complications of menopause, preventing their occurrence by hormone-replacement therapy or alternatives, seems necessary. The present study aimed to investigate the frequency distribution and associated factors of menopausal symptoms in women referring to Alzahra Clinic of Isfahan University of Medical Sciences.Methods: This was a cross-sectional study conducted on 400 women randomly selected from the above 45-years-old menopausal women referring to the outpatient clinic of Alzahara Hospital in Isfahan, Iran, in 2012. The data was collected by Jones’ Standard Questionnaire during the interviews and analyzed by chi-square test.Findings: The frequency distribution of early symptoms of menopause including ALOPECIA, axillary and pubic hair loss, tinnitus, dry and itchy skin, and mastalgia were 1%, 2%, 4%, 7% and 8%, respectively. The frequency distribution of burning hands and feet, frequency, vaginal itching, secretion and burning and decrease in breast size were less than 30%; the prevalence of headache and hot flashes were more than 54%. The frequency distribution of hypertension (a late symptom of menopause) was 44.5%.Conclusion: The results revealed that increase in age and body mass index (BMI) increased “hot flashes, headache, hypertension, decrease in breast size and frequency” and “hot flashes and hypertension”, respectively. Increase in “headache, hypertension and decrease in breast size” in illiterate women was the highest in comparison to women with higher education. “Burning hands and feet” in single women and women with physical activity was higher compared to married women and women without physical activities. Smoking women had higher “hypertension and burning hands and feet”. “Headache and decrease in breast size» were lower and “burning hands and feet» was higher in women using hormonal drugs compared to non-users.

Introduction: In patients with polycystic ovary syndrome hyperinsulinaemia, insulin resistance, dyslipidemia and hyperglycemia may represent an increased risk for coronary cardiovascular disease. This study aimed to investigate risk factors for cardiovascular disease based on polycystic ovary syndrome phenotypes in Shiraz.Methods: This Cross-sectional study was performed on 3200 students aged 18-14. Demographic survey, clinical signs of androgen excess (acne, hirsutism, ALOPECIA), Ultrasound were applied in order to find the cyst. Tests included prolactin, dehydroepiandrodion sulfate, and oral glucose tolerance test, fasting blood glucose, blood sugar two hours later, triglycerides, cholesterol, high density lipoprotein. Data were submitted to SPSS software, version 11.5 and then analyzed by chi-square tests.Results: The serum cholesterol mean in four phenotypes had a statistically significant relationship with non-PCOS patients (p<0.05). Mean of serum cholesterol in oligomenorrhea, Hyperandrogenism and polycystic ovary phenotype (195.09±30.28) was higher than the other phenotypes. Mean of serum cholesterol and low density lipoprotein (LDL-C) were significantly higher in patients with Hyperandrogenism and polycystic ovarian phenotype (130.046±26.27) and oligomenorrhea, Hyperandrogenism and polycystic ovary syndrome phenotype (138.58±28.34) compared with non-infected individuals. Serum glucose mean in all phenotype was higher than non-infected after two hours and it showed a significant relation in oligomenorrhea and also polycystic ovarian phenotype (98.03±20.98 versus 87.5±12.97) with non-infected individuals.Conclusion: Biochemical factors that lead to increased risk of cardiovascular diseases is increased in patients with polycystic ovary syndrome. Therefore, it should be attended in prevention programs.