Background and objectives: This study evaluated the effect of chronic consumption of saccharin on important physiological and biochemical parameters in rats. Materials and Methods: Male Wistar rats were used in this study and were divided into four groups: A control group and three experimental groups (groups 1, 2, and 3) were treated with different doses of saccharin at 2.5, 5, and 10 mg/kg, respectively. Each experimental group received sodium saccharin once per day for 120 days while the control group was treated with distilled water only. In addition to the evaluation of body weight, blood samples [total protein, albumin, glucose, lipid profile, alanine transaminase (ALT), aspartate transaminase (AST), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), creatinine, and uric acid] and urine (isoprostane) were collected in zero time, and after 60 and 120 days for biochemical evaluation. Liver (catalase activity) and brain (8-hydroxy-2’-deoxyguanosine, 8-OHdG) tissues were collected at time zero and after 120 days. Results: The data showed that saccharin at 5 mg/kg increased body weight of treated rats after 60 (59%) and 120 (67%) days of treatment. Increased concentration of serum glucose was observed after treatment with saccharin at 5 (75% and 62%) and 10 mg/kg (43% and 40%) following 60 and 120 days, respectively. The concentration of albumin decreased after treatment with saccharin at 2.5 (34% and 36%), 5 (39% and 34%), and 10 mg/kg (15% and 21%) after 60 and 120 days of treatment, respectively. The activity of LDH and uric acid increased proportionally with dosage levels and consumption period. There was an increased concentration of creatinine after treatment with saccharin at 2.5 (125% and 68%), 5 (114% and 45%), and 10 mg/kg (26% and 31%) following 60 and 120 days, respectively. Catalase activity and 8-OHdG increased by 51% and 49%, respectively, following 120 days of treatment with saccharin at 2.5 mg/kg. Elevation in the concentration of isoprostane was observed after treatment with saccharin at all doses. Conclusions: The administration of saccharin throughout the treatment period was correlated with impaired kidney and liver function. Both hyperglycemic and obesity-inducing side effects were observed. There was an increased oxidative status of the liver, as well as exposure to increased oxidative stress demonstrated through the increased levels of isoprostane, uric acid, 8-OHdG, and activity of catalase. Therefore, it is suggested that saccharin is unsafe to be included in the diet.

Background: Previous studies on saccharin and cyclamate were either limited to experimental animals or lacked evaluation of their long-term consumption effects in humans. Objectives: This study evaluated the effect of chronic consumption of saccharin and cyclamate on biochemical parameters in healthy individuals and patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus. Material and Methods: Healthy and diabetic individuals were classified into two groups based on whether they consumed sweeteners or not. The participants were classified according to the amount of sweetener consumed per day and duration of consumption. Serum catalase activity, peroxynitrite, ceruloplasmin, and malondialdehyde concentrations were determined. Glycated hemoglobin, fasting glucose, creatinine, alanine transaminase, and lipid profile were also evaluated. The results suggest that saccharin and cyclamate increased HbA1C (+11.16%), MDA (+52.38%), TG (+16.74%), LDL (+13.39%), and TC/HDL (+13.11%) in healthy volunteers. Diabetic patients consuming sweeteners showed increased FSG (+17.51%), ceruloplasmin (+13.17%), and MDA (+8.92%). Diabetic patients showed a positive correlation between the number of tablets consumed per day with FSG and serum creatinine. A positive correlation was found between the duration of sweetener consumption and FSG as well as TG. Conclusion: Consumption of saccharin and cyclamate affected biochemical parameters related to metabolic functions in a time and dose-dependent manner and appear to increase oxidative stress in healthy and diabetic type 2 patients.

Serum total 25‐OHD is a main marker of vitamin D which represents the intake and sunlight exposure. Free form of 25‐OHD, the small fraction not bound to a transporter protein has been incorporated as a new marker. This cross-sectional study aimed to evaluate the impact of several factors on total and free vitamin D levels in healthy subjects and to find out if the free form of vitamin D could be a better representative of the body’s vitamin D status. Total and free 25‐OHD were analyzed by ELISA method in a blood sample collected from 391 apparently healthy volunteers (219 female and 172 Male) from Duhok Governorate/Iraq population. Total and free 25‐OHD levels were increased proportionally to BMI with lower values seen in the underweight group, also a significant gender differences in total D3 level with higher values in males (23.90 ± 16.41) ng/ml than females (21.24 ± 15.65) ng/ml was observed. Total and Free 25‐OHD levels were significantly associated with ages, their deficiency most frequent occurs in the younger ages between (16–25) years old. Smokers had higher level of Total 25‐OHD (26.95 ± 19.01) ng/ml and Free 25‐OHD (9.47 ± 4.94) pg/ml than nonsmokers (22.14 ± 14.59) ng/ml and (7.87 ± 4.32) pg/ml respectively. A significant increase in Free 25‐OHD level in the veiled women (9.12 ± 4.64) ng/ml than unveiled (6.16 ± 3.73) ng/ml with a significant positive correlation between Free 25‐OHD level and dress style was also seen. 30% and 33% of the participants whom their daily exposure to sunlight for 30 min and > 1 h respectively were severe deficient in total 25‐OHD. 95% of the participants who had Abnormally low level of free D were exposed for ≥ 30 min to sunlight. Daily exposure to sunlight was negatively associated with Free 25‐OHD level.

Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a multifaceted syndrome due to its complex pathophysiology. Signals of illness include alterations in genes, proteins, cells, tissues, and organism-level physiological modifications. Specificity of sensitivity to PTSD suggests that response to trauma depend on gender and type of adverse event being experienced. Individuals diagnosed with PTSD represent a heterogeneous group, as evidenced by differences in symptoms, course, and response to treatment. It is clear that the biochemical mechanisms involved in PTSD need to be elucidated to identify specific biomarkers. A brief review of the recent literature in Pubmed was made to explore the major biochemical mechanisms involved in PTSD and the methodologies applied in the assessment of the disease. PTSD shows pre-exposure vulnerability factors in addition to trauma-induced alterations. The disease was found to be associated with dysfunctions of the hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal axis (HPA) and hypothalamus–pituitary–thyroid axis. Sympathetic nervous system (SNS) activity play a role in PTSD by releasing norepinephrine and epinephrine. Cortisol release from the adrenal cortex amplifies the SNS response. Cortisol levels in PTSD patients, especially women, are later reduced by a negative feedback mechanism which contributes to neuroendocrine alterations and promotes structural changes in the brain leading to PTSD. Gender differences in normal HPA responsiveness may be due to an increased vulnerability in women to PTSD. Serotonin and dopamine levels were found to be abnormal in the presence of PTSD. Mechanisms such as the induction of neuroinflammation and alterations of mitochondrial energy processing were also associated with PTSD.

The severity of post-traumatic stress disorder and its long-lasting effects among the Yazidi population has not yet been investigated. Objectives: This study evaluated the impact of PTSD severity and chronicity on physiological and anthropometric parameters in women survivors of the genocide- related events after the so-called Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS) attack in 2014. Methods: The diagnosis PTSD was assessed using PTSD Checklist for DSM-5 (PCL-5). Participants were divided into: External control (healthy individuals living outside the camps), Internal control (healthy individuals living in the camps), and PTSD group (individuals diagnosed with PTSD). The PTSD group was subdivided according to chronicity 5 years and subdivided according to PTSD severity into "Moderate", "Severe" and "Extreme". Systolic blood pressure (SBP), diastolic blood pressure (DBP), blood oxygen saturation (SPO2) and heart rate (HR) were evaluated. Weight, height and waist circumference were measured. Body mass index (BMI) and waist-to-height ratio (WHtR) were calculated. Results: The PTSD group showed significant increases in SBP, DBP, heart rate, BMI, WC, weight, and WHtR compared to the control groups. SPO2 values decreased in the PTSD group. As the disease progressed, there were further increases in SBP, DBP, heart rate, BMI, WC, WHtR, and weight. Similar increases were observed with the severity of the disease. Conclusion: Our data indicates that a long-term impact on physiological and anthropometric parameters is present in women diagnosed with PTSD which might be aggravated by the severity and chronicity of the disease.

Background: Internally displaced persons (IDPs) living in camps often face substandard living conditions that may adversely affect renal health. This study aimed to assess and compare the renal function biomarkers between IDPs residing in camps and healthy individuals living outside camps in Duhok, Kurdistan Region, Iraq. Subjects and Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted involving 300 participants (150 IDPs and 150 controls), aged 18–65 years. Individuals with chronic diseases, smokers, alcohol consumers, or other potential confounders (such as pregnancy, recent acute illness, use of nephrotoxic medications, or history of kidney surgery) were excluded. Blood and urine samples were collected to evaluate serum albumin, creatinine, and urea, urine albumin and creatinine, albumin/creatinine ratio (ACR), and microscopic urine examination. The estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) was calculated. The data were analyzed across demographic variables, including age, gender, body mass index, drinking water amount, and biochemical parameters. Results: IDPs exhibited significantly lower serum albumin and creatinine levels and higher ACR compared to controls (p < 0.05). No significant differences were found in urea or eGFR. Microalbuminuria prevalence was higher in IDPs (5.3%) than in controls (2%), and this difference was statistically significant (p = 0.006). ACR was elevated in the IDPs across all subgroups. Microscopic urine examination revealed uric acid crystals in the IDP group; these crystals were not observed in the control participants. Most participants were classified as CKD stage 1 or 2; comparisons at stages 3a and 3b were limited due to small sample sizes. Conclusions: IDPs living in camps showed early signs of renal dysfunction, with altered albumin, creatinine, and ACR levels. These findings underscore the need for improved renal health surveillance and targeted interventions focused on hydration, nutrition, and living conditions in displacement settings.