ObjectiveThis study aimed to investigate the relationship between hematological parameters, serum iron, and vitamin B12 levels in adult hospitalized Palestinian patients infected with Helicobacter pylori.MethodsThis case–control study included 150 adult (18–50 years old) patients infected with H. pylori and 150 healthy adults. A complete blood count was performed, and serum iron and vitamin B12 levels of the patients were measured, statistically analyzed and compared with the control group. All parameters in cases were reassessed after the triple treatment of omeprazole 20 mg b.i.d., amoxicillin 1 g b.i.d., and clarithromycin 500 mg b.i.d. for 14 successive days. The triple treatment was the same for males and females.ResultsThe results revealed that the mean levels of hemoglobin, red cell count, white cell count and hematocrit were significantly lower and the red blood cell distribution width significantly higher in cases compared to controls, while no significant differences were found for mean corpuscular volume, mean corpuscular hemoglobin and platelet count. Serum vitamin B12 and iron levels were significantly lower in cases compared to controls (262.5 ± 100.0 vs. 378.2 ± 160.6 pg/mL and 71.6 ± 24.8 vs. 80.1 ± 20.7 μg/dL, respectively). Vitamin B12 and serum iron increased significantly and was restored to close to normal levels after medical treatment.ConclusionsH. pylori infection appears to cause decreases in vitamin B12, iron levels and some hematological parameters. However, these were almost normalized after treatment with omeprazole, amoxicillin and clarithromycin. H. pylori is associated with vitamin B12 and iron deficiency, thus, this may be a useful marker and a possible therapeutic agent of anemic patients with gastritis.

The present study is aimed to assess the therapeutic potential of sulfonylurea drug glimepiride in comparison with Nerium oleander plant extract on insulin, glucose levels and some liver enzymes activities in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats. Rats were rendered diabetic by intraperitoneal injection of a single dose of 50 mg kg(-1) body weight streptozotocin. Rats with serum glucose levels > 200 mg dL(-1) were subdivided into three sub-groups: the first sub-group were remained without treatment and considered as diabetics. The second and third subgroups were orally administered 0.1 mg kg(-1) body weight/day glimepiride and 250 mg kg(-1) body weight/day Nerium oleander, respectively for 4 weeks. Streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats showed hypoinsulinemia and hyperglycemia compared to controls. Strong negative correlation (r = -0.8) was found between serum insulin and glucose levels in diabetic rats. This correlation was +0.4 and -0.3 in glimepiride and Nerium olender-treated rats, respectively implying that glimepiride and plant extract improved insulin and glucose levels with the former was more efficient. The activities of serum aspartate aminotransferase, alanine aminotransferase and alkaline phosphatase were significantly increased in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats compared to controls. Treatment of diabetic rats with glimepiride or Nerium oleander extract also improved liver enzymes activities.

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Some statistically significant correlations were reported and discussed between different parameters. Conclusions: Vitamin D deficiency is prevailing health threating condition among Palestinian females of childbearing age, justifying the necessity for national vitamin D supplementation strategy to ameliorate such prevalent health condition. The current intervention has successfully restorer the deficient status and replenish the body of subjects with sufficient vitamin D.

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