Journal of

Background and Aim: Female pattern hair loss(female androgenic alopecia) is a common but puzzling condition in women which increases by aging. Female hair loss is strongly linked to hormones and hormonal imbalances. The aim of this study was to determine the serum level of hormones such as T4, TSH, free testosterone, Prolactin(PRL) and Alb, SHBG in women(15-50 years old) with hair loss versus those without hair loss.

Materials and Methods: In this cross-sectional case-control study, 71 women with hair loss and 70 normal women were selected from skin and hair care day clinics. The level of hormones and SHBG were measured by ELISA, and Alb was measured by spectrophotometery. Data were analyzed by independent t-test.

Results: After analyzing the data and determining the levels of TSH, T4, Prolactin, Alb, SHBG, no significant difference was found between the case and control groups. However, free Testosterone level was significantly different between patients and controls(P= 0.000), with a higher mean level in the case group(patients).

Conclusion : Since androgens have a major role in regulating the biological cycle of hair in women and since there was a significant difference between free testosterone in patient and control groups, we suggest that the serum level of free testosterone should be measured in women with androgenic alopecia .

Background and Aim: Diabetes is a metabolic disorder, in which either there is no sufficient insulin in the body or the available insulin is not capable of acting properly. Defining the effects of trace elements can help to make use of these elements in control or preventing diabetes.

Materials and Methods: Forty-eight Wistar male rats were equally divided into eight groups. Three different control groups and five test groups. Test groups was treated with streptozotocin (60 mg/kg intraperitonieal) to induce diabetes, then supplemented with specific trace elements: Zinc, Chromium, Magnesium, Manganese and Copper. After one week, glucose, triglyceride and cholesterol levels in serum of all groups were assayed with routine methods. Then mentioned trace elements were gavaged to each groups with proper dosages. Gavage was performed during 3 weeks, then the blood tests were repeated. Median values were taken, the results were analyzed by SPSS software and p<0.05 was considered statistically significant.

Results: Levels of glucose in the serum of experimental group were found to be significantly higher than in the control group (p=0.0009). Oral administration of trace elements for 23 days exhibited a significant reduction of serum glucose (P=0.0009) and cholesterol level (p=0.019) in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats but not in control groups.

Conclusion: The present study indicated that treatment of diabetic rats with some trace elements to attenuate hyperglycemia until reaching the normal range. Between different trace elements which were used, Cr is suggested for its great ability in decreasing the glucose, cholesterol with no effect on triglyceride levels as compared with normal rats.