Background and objectives: Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is one of the most common endocrine disorders in women of fertile age, affecting 5-10% of the female population. The aim of the present study is to evaluate the endocrine and metabolic effects of metformin in patients with polycystic ovary syndrome in Kirkuk city. Methods: Eighty female with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), were classified in to two groups, the first group ,who received Clomifene citrate and Metformin hydrochloride included 45 patients and the second group , who received Clomifene citrate only (control group) included 35 patients. All study patients, were diagnosed as polycystic ovary syndrome and they were on treatment at least two months before blood sample collection. Laboratory assessment that obtained included serum, free testosterone, leptin and insulin glucose and lipid profile. Results: No significant differences in median of, serum insulin, insulin resistance or serum leptin between study groups were observed. The median free serum testosterone was significantly lower (23 pg/ml) in those treated with metformin compared to those on ordinary treatment (50 pg/ml). Fasting serum glucose, HDL -cholesterol and total cholesterol were significantly higher in group without metformin (116.2 , 41.3 , 161.8 mg/dL respectively) compaired to group with metformin (101.5, 34.3 , 138.8 mg/dL respectively). The remaining biomarkers (serum LDL-cholesterol, serum VLDL-cholesterol and triglyceride) showed no statistically significant differences between two groups. We conclude that metformin treatment has beneficial effects on serum, free testosterone, cholesterol and glucose in obese women with PCOS.

Background and objective: Obesity has been associated with increased androgenicity in women. There are, however, major inconsistencies in available data concerning the possible association between androgenicity and leptin in humans.The objectives of this study were to evaluate the impact of body mass index on androgens and the potential contribution of leptin in determination of androgen levels in women. Methods: The study included 80 healthy females with an established Body Mass Index (BMI). They were divided into 4 groups. First group, 30 normal weight subjects (BMI<25 Kg/m 2 ), second group, 25 overweight subjects (BMI=25-29.9 Kg/m 2 ) , third group,15 obese grade-I subjects (BMI=30-34.9 Kg/m 2 ) and forth group, 10 obese grade-II subjects (BMI>35 Kg/m 2 ). Serum, leptin, free testosterone, androstenedione, glucose, lipid profile and body mass index were measured. Results: There was no statistically significant difference in median serum androstenedione, while free testosterone was significantly lower (14.5 pg/ml) in obese grade II and higher in normal weight (60 pg/ml) and statistically significant increase in serum leptin with increase in body mass index. Serum free testosterone was lower (23.5 pg/ml) in subjects with highest quartile serum leptin and higher (43pg/ml), in subjects with lowest quartile serum leptin, the difference was not significant statistically.

Background and objective: Metabolic syndrome is a potent risk factor for cardiovascu-lar diseases (CVDs), has not been adequately explored in Erbil individuals and its relation to leptin hormone. The present study aim to evaluate such a relationship between serum leptin and metabolic syndrome in Erbil individuals. Methods: Samples collection were carried out in Razgary teaching hospital, 45 cases with metabolic syndrome and 30 healthy control subjects, anthropometric variables measure-ments (blood pressure, body weight, body height, body mass index) and biochemical tests: fasting, serum glucose, serum triglycerides, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol and serum leptin were obtained from the study samples. Results: Serum leptin levels were significantly higher in females in comparison to the males in metabolic syndromes group (with median 53.6 Vs 23.8 ng/dl with P value < 0.05) with also present statistical significant difference in leptin between metabolic syndrome group and control group in both males and females. No important association between se-rum leptin and each of selected criteria of metabolic syndrome. The observed case-control difference in serum leptin is mainly attributed to gender and body mass index (BMI) differ-ences and not a function of metabolic syndrome itself. Conclusion: Among subjects with metabolic syndrome, only age , gender and body mass index were important in determining the magnitude of serum leptin among cases groups.