soraya ghodrati

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a complex endocrine disorder in women, and approximately 75% of women affected by PCOS are overweight. Angiopoietin-like protein 4 (ANGPTL4) is a potent inhibitor of lipoprotein lipase (LPL) enzyme. This protein is a determinant of plasma concentration and clearance of triglyceride. In this study, we aimed to evaluate the serum levels of ANGPTL4 in PCOS women with normal body mass index (BMI).
A case-control study of 47 women visiting Abolfazle Clinic, affiliated to Bushehr University of Medical Sciences, was performed during 2015-2016. In this study, 25 PCOS women were assigned to the case group through simple non-probable sampling based on the Rotterdam 2003 criteria. Further, 22 healthy women were selected for the control group. Serum levels of all hormones were measured by the ELISA technique, and biochemical parameters were evaluated by an autoanalyser. The obtained data were analyzed using independent samples t-test, Mann-Whitney U test, and linear regression test in SPSS, version 16. P-values less than 0.05 were considered statistically significant.
The results of this study showed a significant increase in LH (P=0.003), LH/FSH (P= 0.007), FBS (P= 0.03), testosterone (P= 0.02), and prolactin (P= 0.005) levels in the case group. There was no significant difference in the levels of ANGPTL4, insulin, HOMA-IR, low-density lipoprotein (LDL), HDL, HOMA-B, and creatinine between the groups. There was a significant negative correlation between serum level of ANGPTL4 and insulin logarithm (P=0.002), FBS (P=0.006), HOMA-IR logarithm (P=0.001), and BMI (P=0.03), but no correlation was found between ANGPTL4 and lipid parameters.
We found no significant difference between the PCOS women with normal BMI and the controls regarding serum levels of ANGPTL4.

The hemotoxic and neurotoxic factors of snake venoms is the main responsible for necrosis and tissue sloughing. Envenomations are common in rural areas in all provinces of Iran caused by snake species which causes local swelling، ecchymosis and alterations in blood profile in case of hemotoxic venom. In this study some in vivo and in vitro properties (Hemorrhagic، edematogenic and coagualant) of Iranian Vipera lebetina venom in addition to neutralizing capacity of pepsin derived Razi Institute polyvalent antivenin were assayed. Escalating doses of Vipera lebetina venom dissolved in Normal saline (2. 5-50 µg/ml) were injected (100µl) subcutaneously to dorsal area of rats (n=3) to investigate mean hemorrhagic amount after 24 hours. Groups of three mice were injected subcutaneously in the right foodpad with various amounts of venom (10-150µg). The left foodpad received the same amount (100µl) ofnormal saline alone (negative control) to evaluate the edematogenic property of this venom. To determine the coagulant activity، various amounts of venom dissolved in normal saline (50µl) were added to human plasma (200µl) and coagulation time was measured. Razi Institute antivenom was used for neutralization of all three measured biological parameters. Mean hemorrhagic، procoagulant and edematous amounts (increasing 30% in hind paw edema) were 8. 5، 1. 1 and 70 microgram، respectively. Preincubation with polyvalent antibody (30 and 200 microliter) decreased hemorrhagic and procoagulant activity. Edematogenic property of this venom decreased significantly by incubation with antivenom (78% to 38% by incubation with 1000 microliter of polyvalent antivenom). Intra peritoneal injection of this remedy following envenomation had no effect in relieving symptoms. Myonecrotic effects were seen by intramuscular injection of Vipera lebetina venom in rats. Our study shows that Iranian antivenom could neutralize some in vivo and in vitro hazardous effects of envenomation by this snake like hemorrhagic، edematogenic and procoagulant properties that paves the way for separation and purification of multiple enzymes present in this venom to investigate the neutralizing capacity from Razi Institute polyvalent antivenom.