Lipoprotein changes in women taking low-dose combined oral contraceptive pills: a cross-sectional study in Basra, Iraq

We assessed lipid and lipoprotein levels in 100 women taking low-dose COCs and a control group of 100 non-users attending the family planning centre Basra Maternity and Child Hospital, Iraq. Venous blood was collected after 12-14 hours fasting, and serum triglyceride [TG], total cholesterol [TC], high-density lipoprotein cholesterol [HDL-C], low-density lipoprotein cholesterol [LDL-C] and very low-density lipoprotein [VLDL] levels were measured. Serum TG, HDL-C and VLDL levels were significantly higher and LDL-C levels lower in users than non-users but TC levels did not differ between the 2 groups. TG, HDL-C and VLDL levels rose with age and duration of use while LDL-C levels decreased; TC levels did not change

Hypoglycaemic effect of aqueous extract of the leaves of Trigonella foenum-graecum in healthy volunteers

The safety and efficacy of Trigonella foenum-graecum extract was investigated using 20 male volunteers aged 20-30 years. They were randomly treated with either 40 mg/kg aqueous extract powder in 10 mL distilled water or 10 mL distilled water in which coffee simulated the extract. The extract significantly lowered blood glucose level by 13.4% 4 hours after ingestion. A significant change of 14.1% was observed in potassium levels. No significant alteration in serum cholesterol, total serum protein and blood urea occurred. Approximately one-third experienced feelings of hunger, frequency of micturition or dizziness during the 24 hours after ingestion. The aqueous extract effectively reduced blood glucose in normal subjects safely. Its hypokalaemic effect merits further investigation