RESUMEN

BACKGROUND: Omega3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) are related to several diseases, including smoking. The aim of this study was to evaluate the relationship between omega-3 intake and tobacco smoking, taking into account the qualitative differences in dietary intake between smokers and non-smokers, the amount of the ingested PUFA and their red blood (RBC) contents. We also looked for an association between omega-3 RBC content and smoking, and also between omega3 intake and the level of nicotine dependence. METHODS: Using a cross-sectional study, we included 50 current smokers (group I) and 50 lifetime non-smokers (group II), aged 18-75 years. We screened them at the Toronto Western Hospital and the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (Toronto, Canada). The subjects completed a questionnaire with demographic data, lifestyle habits and details of food intake. The PUFAs measured in the RBC membranes were alphalinolenic acid, eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), docosapentaenoic acid and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA). In order to perform an adjusted comparison between smokers and non-smokers we used the ANCOVA model. RESULTS: After adjusting for confounding factors, non-smokers showed higher consumption of PUFAs, especially salmon: 800 g (0-7.740) than smokers 430 g (0-2.150) P < 0.001. They also had higher DHA levels compared to smokers: 4.81% (2.79-10.21) and 4.13% (2.33-7.73), respectively, p < 0.05. The other PUFAs showed no significant differences between the two groups. CONCLUSIONS: Smokers ate less fish rich in omega3 fatty acids than non-smokers, showing and inverse and significant relationship between omega3 intake and smoking. Smokers had lower levels of DHA and EPA, a not previously reported finding. Considering that PUFAs probably interfere in smoking habit, the increase in omega-3 consumption may become a perspective in prevention or treatment of smoking. However, this inference must be evaluated through specific studies.

Asunto(s)

RESUMEN

Smoking behavior is a multifactorial phenotype with significant heritability. Identifying the specific loci that influence smoking behavior could provide important etiological insights and facilitate the development of treatments to further reduce smoking related mortality. Although several studies pointed to different candidate genes for smoking, there is still a need for replication especially in samples from different countries. In the present study, we investigated whether 21 positive signals for smoking behavior from these studies are replicated in a sample of 531 blood donors from the Brazilian population. The polymorphisms were chosen based on their representativeness of different candidate biologic systems, strength of previous evidence, location and allele frequencies. By genotyping with the Sequenom MassARRAY iPLEX platform and subsequent statistical analysis using Plink software, we show that two of the SNPs studied, in the SLC1A2 (rs1083658) and ACTN1 (rs2268983) genes, were associated with smoking behavior in our study population. These genes are involved in crucial aspects of nicotine dependence, glutamate system and synaptic plasticity, and as such, are biologically plausible candidates that merit further molecular analyses so as to clarify their potential role in smoking behavior.

Asunto(s)

RESUMEN

The collection of exhaled breath condensates (EBC) is a noninvasive method for obtaining samples from the lungs. Eicosanoids are lipid mediators implicated in the asthmatic inflammatory response. The objective of our study was to investigate whether the profile of eicosanoid lipid mediators in EBC can characterize the inflammation in asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). EBC samples were collected from 22 healthy controls (C), 25 mild intermittent asthmatics (MIA), 20 with moderate to severe asthma (MSA) and 20 with moderate to severe COPD. EBC samples were analyzed by unique tandem mass spectrometry that allows the quantification of up to 25 eicosanoid mediators simultaneously. No differences were found between MIA and C. Subjects with MSA and COPD had higher levels of 6-keto, PGE2, LTB4, 11-12 EET and AA, while lower levels of LXA4, 11DHyTxB2, 11HETE and 8,9EET, when compared to MSA and C (p < 0.05). Our study shows that the analysis of EBC through mass spectrometry is mixed and has a similar response in MSA and COPD when compared to MIA and controls.

Asunto(s)

Asunto(s)

RESUMEN

O presente trabalho apresenta uma sucinta revisäo sobre o papel do óxido nítrico na fisiologia respiratória e na fisiopatologia de algumas pneumopatias. A perspectiva de seu uso para diagnóstico e acompanhamento de inúmeras situaçöes clínicas é discutida

Asunto(s)

RESUMEN

OBJETIVOS: Determinar o tempo de recuperaçäo e os mecanismos envolvidos na recuperaçäo da constriçäo brônquica induzida pela metacolina inalada em indivíduos asmáticos e hígidos. PACIENTES E MÉTODOS: No primeiro estudo, seis asmáticos e três näo-asmáticos, todos näo fumantes, foram estudados em três dias separados. Em cada dia os indivíduos inalaram doses de metacolina que iam sendo duplicadas (com uma concentraçäo máxima de até 256mg/ml) até que houvesse uma queda de 2o por cento no seu volume expiratório forçado no primeiro segundo...

Asunto(s)

Asunto(s)

RESUMEN

Uma revisão da literatura médica sôbre a citologia gástrica, focalizando os principais aspectos concernentes ao assunto foi apresentada. Um grupo de 48 indivíduos, composto por 28 pacientes com câncer gástrico, 10 com lesões gástricas benignas e 10 normais, foi objeto de estudo citológico gástrico, empregando-se vários métodos para colhêr o material. Nenhum resultado falso-positivo foi encontrado. Nos casos com lesões malignas, índices iniciais de 20% de positividade e 40% de suspeita, foram aumentandos, nas fases finais, para 70% de positividade. A aquisição de maior experiência foi considerada como principal responsável por êsse aumento. Interrelações entre os exames citológicos executados pelas técnicas habituais e raspados transoperatórios de lesões gástricas malignas foram relatadas. Apresentam-se, também, os sumários de duas observações clínicas, nas quais o exame citológico desempenhou importante papel no esclarecimento do diagnóstico.

Asunto(s)