Background: Infection with Toxoplasma gondii (T. gondii) leads to activation of T-helper cells (Th-1 and Th-2) which are involved in the synthesis and release of different cytokines which may lead to endothelial dysfunction. Objectives: To evaluate the endothelial function in patients with acute toxoplasmosis. Methods: This case-control study involved 31 patients with toxoplasmosis aged 19 - 47 years matched with 20 healthy subjects. Anti-T. gondii antibody (IgG, IgM, IgA) was determined by direct antigen-antibody reaction. Interleukin-6(IL-6), endothelin-1 (ET-1) and human malondialdehyde (MDA) serum levels were measured. Results: IgM, IgG and IgA levels were high in the infected patients compared with controls (P < 0.01). Furthermore, IL-

Background: Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is one of the most common female endocrine disorders. PCOS produces symptoms in approximately 5% to 10% of women of reproductive age (12–45 years old).
Objective: To detect the level of IL-6 in PCOS patients correlated with their serum glucose.
Patients and methods: This is a prospective study carried out at Baghdad teaching hospital in Baghdad/Iraq from November 2011 to January 2012. In this study, 80 blood samples (40 untreated women with PCOS cases and 40 healthy control) were collected to investigate their IL-6 levels by using Enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) technique and fasting blood sugar (FBS) by enzymatic assay.
Results: Serum IL-6 elevated in PCOS patients mainly

Background: JAK2V617F mutation is the most prevalent molecular abnormality in myeloproliferative neoplasms (MPNs) and has become a valuable marker for diagnosis of MPNs. Almost all patients with polycythemia vera (PV) have this acquired mutation. However, it has also been found in many other hematological diseases, and some studies even detected the presence of JAK2V617F in normal blood samples.
Objectives: To discuss the actual need to defer blood donors with high hematocrit.
Patients and methods: This prospective case control study was started on 16th of December 2012 and completed on 8th of July 2013, and enrolled 94 male blood donors who attended the National Blood Transfusion Center (NBTC) in Bagh

Methotrexate (MTX), a folate antagonist agent, is mainly used in treatment of
malignant tumors and autoimmune diseases. The present study was undertaken to
determine whether antioxidant vitamin (vitamin A) could ameliorate methotrexateinduced
oxidative stress in male rabbits. Twenty male rabbits were randomly
assigned into four groups. Group 1: control group, Group 2: MTX-treated group
(received 20 mg/kg MTX intraperitoneally), Group 3: Vit.A treated group received
5000 IU Vit.A orally) and Group 4: MTX+Vit.A treated group received MTX 20
mg/kg plus 5000 IU vit.A). After 4 weeks of treatment, blood samples were
collected by cardiac puncture to determine the serum malondialdehyde (MDA), as a
good indicator for l

Background: Acute coronary syndrome (ACS) is a common disease, and a major determinant of morbidity and mortality in all races. The pleiotropic effects of the receptor activator of nuclear factor-kappa B ligand (RANKL) such as modulation of cell survival, mineralization and inflammation, make it an interesting candidate mediator in the progression and destabilization of atherosclerotic lesions.Objectives: This study was performed to investigate the role of RANKL in the pathogenesis of ACS.Methods: The levels of RANKL were measured by ELISA method in sera of 60 ACS patients, 31 patients with unstable angina (UA) and 29 patients with myocardial infarction (MI) in comparison with 20 apparently healthy controls.Results: Current data indicate

Background: Acute coronary syndrome refers to any group of clinical symptoms compatible with acute myocardial ischemia including unstable angina (UA), Non-ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (NSTEMI) & ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI).
Apelin is a novel endogenous peptide with inotropic and vasodilatory properties, it was recently reported that serum measurements of apelin were similar to its immunohistochemical data in vessels and heart tissues.
Objectives: This study aims to evaluate serum levels of apelin in patients with Acute Coronary Syndrome related to severity of presentation.
Patients and Methods: The present study was conducted during the period from September 2014 until March 2015. Fifty-n

Background: Coronary Artery Disease (CAD) is one of the largest causes of mortality worldwide. Clopidogrel, antiplatelet drug, has been widely used for management of CAD. The current study aimed to investigate the effect of clopidogrel on the oxidative stress in CAD patients. Methods: One hundred CAD patients, who were followed-up for 5 days after receiving clopidogrel, and 50 healthy volunteers were included in this study. Parameters include catalase (CAT), total antioxidant capacity (TAC), total oxidant capacity (TOC), total protein, albumin, and globulins were determined before and after treatment with clopidogrel. Results: CAT, TAC, and Tp were significantly decreased (P<0.0001) in CAD patients compared to healthy control and

This study was designed to investigate the protective effects of red cabbage and garlic extracts on the oxidative stress induced through treatment with fumonisin B1 in male mice. The study was conducted on sixty male mice that were divided  randomly into six groups. Group 1included control mice, mice in group 2 received a daily oral dose (200 µg/kg.b.w) of fumonisin B1 for one month to induced mycotoxicosis, mice in group 3 received 500 mg/kg.b.w red cabbage extract plus fumonisin B1, mice in group 4 received only red cabbage extract, mice in group 5 received 500 mg/kg.b.w garlic extract plus fumonisin B1, and group 6 received garlic extract alone. After finishing  the experiments, samples of blood  were used for biochemi

Background: The present study involved the following parts, the first part is evaluation of the levels of glycated hemoglobin(HbA1c), creatinine, uric acid(UA) and albumin in patients with diabetic nephropathy comparison with the group of healthy as a control group. The second part is the measurement and evaluation of oxidative stress represented in the malondihydehyde(MDA) as a biomarker of oxidative stress as well as the identification of vitamins C and E as an antioxidant in patients with diabetic nephropathy(DN) compared with the healthy group. Objective: The objective of this study is to estimate oxidative stress by calculate malondialdehyd as biomarker and evaluate some vitamins such as vit C and vit E as antioxidants in diabetic neph