BACKGROUND:Pro12Ala (rs1801282) is a common polymorphism of the human PPAR-γ gene. Studies have demonstrated conflicting results about its association with T2DM worldwide. There are no reports about such possible association among Iraqi people.OBJECTIVES:This study aims at finding out whether having the mutant allele (Ala12) might be associated with T2DM among Iraqi people.METHODS:One hundred and ninety-two Arabic Iraqi adult subjects (97 with T2DM and 95 controls) were genotyped using PCR- RFLP. Clinical, anthropometrical and biochemical variables were compared regarding the Pro12Ala genotypes.RESULTS:About 5.67% of people with diabetes were carriers of the (Ala12) allele versus 9.47% of controls. Allelic and genotypic frequencies were not statistically different among diabetics and controls [(χ2= 1.99, p= 0.16) and (χ2= 2.17, p= 0.14)]. Age, BMI and smoking- but not Pro12Ala - were independent risk factors for T2DM in our subjects. Pro12Ala was not associated with T2DM (Odd’s ratio 0.55, 95% CI 0.23- 1.32, p= 0.14).CONCLUSIONS:Our study revealed a relatively high frequency of the Ala12 allele among Arabic Iraqis. These frequencies did not significantly differ between diabetics and controls indicating the absence of association of Pro12Ala with T2DM among Iraqis.

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Daily abstinence f rom food and drink for some 15 hours in Rama<;lfm is a unique type of fasting. Morning (0800 hour) and evening (1900 hour, just preceding sunset) estimation of serum and urine osmola/ities and of serum cortisol were cond ucted on 22 healthy volunteers who fasted Rama<)an of 1407 Hijri in Mosul on days 1, 14 and 28 of the month. A diurnal variation in serum and urine osmolalities that narrowed as R amadan progressed was observed. The evening serum cortisol was high on days 1 and14 but decreased on day 28. In/our of the 66 occasions comp aring morning and evening serum osmolalities the evening values were 2 mOsm ol/kg lower than morning values. Our results were interpreted as unexplainable by vasopressin action on the k idney alone. Evidence that daily fasting triggers increased capacity to synthesize and store glycogen which is dictated by increased glucose needs for the new prolonged intermeal interval is given. We maintain that glycogen synthesis during eating hours incorporates water intracellularly; water is released during daytime glycogenolysis in order to help prevent undue increase in serum osmolality during fasting. Our concept offers explanations for many p henomena that are experienced by people who fast Ramaqan.

Background: Metabolic processes directly affect the bone skeleton in the human body; especially during pregnancy in females. A bone profile obtained from a blood test can reveal the changes on it. Objectives: The present study aims to estimate the changes that occur in some bone components during pregnancy and whether these changes are physiological or pathological. Patients and methods: Blood samples were collected from 126 females who attend to Al-Hadbaa primary health care center and Al-Khansaa Hospital in Mosul city during the period from January to April 2008. These females classified into two main groups; Group-1 consists of 87 normal pregnant females which are subdivided to 3 subgroups according to their gestational age. Group-2 consists of 39 non-pregnant healthy females (control group). The biochemical parameters measured were: serum calcium, serum albumin, serum inorganic phosphorus (iP), serum alkaline phosphatase (ALP), and corrected serum calcium, and the measured data for these parameters were analyzed using different statistical methods. Results: The total serum calcium, inorganic phosphorus and serum albumin decreased in pregnant female compared to the control group, while alkaline phosphatase activity was elevated in pregnant females compared to the non-pregnant females. Conclusion:The increasing in ALP during pregnancy is accompanied by decreasing serum calcium in the 2 nd trimester and decreasing in iP in the 3 rd trimester that could be a pathological changes related to the bone.

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