Objectives:To assess, the oxidant / antioxidant status and thyroid function tests in newly diagnosed hypertensive patients and the effect of therapy with captopril or valsartan for 2 months on these parameters in comparison to healthy control subjects. Methods: This study was conducted in Ibn-Sina Teaching Hospital, Consultative Clinic for Internal Medicine in Mosul city, from Jan. to Dec. 2008. Patients with certain criteria were included in this study. Blood samples were taken from the patients and assay of serum level of malondialdehyde (MDA), total antioxidant status (TAS) and thyroid hormones; [total triiodothyronine (T 3 ), total thyroxine (T 4 ) and thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH)] were done. They then started to receive either valsartan in the first group or captopril in the second group for 2 months after which another set of blood samples were taken and assayed for the same parameters mentioned above, were done. Forty apparently healthy subjects were also included in this study. They were recruited as a control group. Results: Before starting therapy newly diagnosed hypertensive patients, had a significantly higher MDA serum levels and a significantly lower TAS, with non-significant differences in the levels of thyroid hormones (TT 3 , TT 4 & TSH) in comparison to healthy controls. After 2 months of treatment with either captopril or valsartan, there was a significant decrease in MDA serum levels and a significant increase in TAS levels with non-significant effects on thyroid hormonal levels in comparison to pre-therapy stage. Conclusion: Captopril and valsartan therapy improves oxidant / antioxidant status and carry no adverse effects on thyroid function in newly diagnosed patients with mild to moderate hypertension.

Objective:To asses the effects of quetiapine therapy on body mass index (BMI) and serum level of testosterone, prolactin, follicle stimulating hormone (FSH), luteinizing hormone (LH), and estradiol (E2) in newly diagnosed male schizophrenic patients in comparison to healthy controls. Patients and methods: Thirty male patients with schizophrenia were included in this study. The diagnosis of schizophrenia was made according to DSM-IV criteria of the American Psychiatric Association (APA). Another thirty apparently healthy male individuals were included in the study as a control group. Blood samples were taken initially from patients and controls and assay of serum testosterone, prolactin, FSH, LH, and E2 were done using enzyme -linked fluorescent immunoassay (ELFA) technique by vidas instrument. Later, after 6 months of quetiapine therapy, other blood samples were taken and assay of the same parameters were done. Calculation of BMI was done for the patients and controls using special equation. Results: There was an insignificant difference in the mean BMI, serum testosterone, prolactin, FSH, LH, and E2 levels between patients in the pre-therapy stage group and in both the post-therapy stage group and controls. Conclusion: Chronic quetiapine therapy might be regarded as a safe drug with regard to effects on BMI and serum levels of reproductive hormones in newly diagnosed male schizophrenic patients.

Objective:To evaluate the effect of 2 months use of omega-3 fatty acids on adiponectin and other parameters contribute to weight control in healthy obese volunteers like body mass index (BMI), waist and hip circumferences and to compare the concentrations of adiponectin between interventional groups and control groups. Design: Open-labeled randomized trial. Method: This study included seventy-eight volunteers, aged 20-55 years with different gender and BMI. The patients were divided into 2 groups, namely the omega-3 alone group which consisted of 25 obese subjects and the second one consisted of 26 obese subjects which represented the omega-3 and diet group. The subjects groups were followed for 2 months during which the above parameters were measured before starting therapy and at the end of the follow-up period using commercially available kits. The patient groups were compared with a control group consisted of 67 apparently healthy subjects. The determination of adiponectin concentration in human serum was done using ELISA technique Results: Significant differences were found regarding adiponecin (p=0.001) in the interventional groups in comparison with control group. The studied parameters were compared in the omega-3 groups and showed non-significant differences between the two studied groups concerning serum adiponectin (p=0.065). By comparing the studied parameters in the omega-3 alone group after 2 months of treatment, a significant differences were found in serum adiponectin (p=0.012). The use of omega-3 with diet for 2 months of treatment resulted in a significant increase in serum adiponectin (p=0.000). The percentage improvement in the studied parameters in the first group after 2 months of treatment showed highly significant increase in serum adiponectin (114.53%) with p-value (0.000). While in the second group, highly significant increase in serum adiponectin (214.10%) with p-value (0.000) were obtained. Conclusion: The level of Adiponectin was significantly increased in interventional groups compared to control. The level of Adiponectin was very significantly increased in omega-3 with diet group compared with omega-3 alone group which reflected on the improvement in anthropometric parameters such as weight and BMI.