Gelatinasas como marcadores de consumo crónico de alcohol: un estudio piloto en Uruguay / Gelatinases as markers of chronic alcohol consumption: a pilot study in Uruguay / Gelatinasas como marcadores de consumo crônico de álcool: um estúdio piloto em Uruguai

El consumo crónico de alcohol en Uruguay es un problema creciente, sin embargo, las determinaciones de biomarcadores consensuados no se realizan sistemáticamente ni se investigan otros marcadores potenciales. Para validar la hipótesis de que las metaloproteinasas de matriz con actividad gelatinasa son biomarcadores de consumo crónico de alcohol, se evaluaron muestras de sangre de 100 alcohólicos que comenzaron a atenderse en la Unidad de Trastornos Relacionados con el Alcohol y de 50 donantes sanos no alcohólicos. Las muestras de alcohólicos presentaron actividad de gelatinasas que triplicaron la de los controles y aumentos pequeños pero significativos en los niveles de γ-glutamil transferasa, aspartato-aminotransferasa y volumen corpuscular medio. Los valores de transferrina deficiente en carbohidratos fueron menores en alcohólicos que en controles. Estos resultados permiten proponer a las gelatinasas como los indicadores más sensibles del consumo sostenido de alcohol en la población analizada, ya que las enzimas hepáticas y el volumen corpuscular medio muestran una tendencia acorde con la literatura pero no alcanzaron valores asociados a la patología. Dado que la transferrina deficiente en carbohidratos es considerada el biomarcador indirecto más sensible y específico de consumo crónico de alcohol, los valores menores obtenidos en alcohólicos respecto de controles sugieren problemas metodológicos que podrían subsanarse aplicando otras técnicas de medida o por la presencia de interferencias que deben ser identificadas. Finalmente, estos hallazgos justifican una extensión de este trabajo piloto, así como estudios adicionales centrados en la participación de las metaloproteinasas de matriz con actividad gelatinasa en las cascadas de daño asociadas al consumo crónico de alcohol.

Chronic alcohol consumption in Uruguay is a growing problem, however, determinations of consensual biomarker are not performed systematically neither potential markers are explored. To validate the hypothesis that matrix metalloproteinases with gelatinase activity are biomarkers of chronic alcohol consumption, blood samples of 100 alcoholics that began medical treatment at the Unidad de Trastornos Relacionados con el Alcohol and 50 healthy non-alcoholic donors were evaluated. Alcoholic samples showed gelatinase activity that tripled that of controls and small but significant increases in levels of γ-glutamyl transferase, aspartate-aminotransferase and mean cellular volume. Carbohydrate deficient transferrin values were lower in alcoholics than in controls. These results allow proposing gelatinases as the most sensitive indicators of sustained alcohol consumption in the population analyzed since hepatic enzymes and mean cellular volume showed a tendency consistent with the literature but did not reach values associated with the pathology. Since carbohydrate-deficient transferrin is considered the most sensitive and specific indirect biomarker of chronic alcohol consumption, lower values in alcoholics related to controls suggest methodological problems that could be solved by applying other measurement techniques or by the presence of yet unknown interferences. Finally, these findings justify an extension of this pilot work, as well as additional studies focused on the participation of matrix metalloproteinases with gelatinase activity in the cascades of damage associated with chronic alcohol consumption.

O consumo crônico de álcool no Uruguai é um problema crescente, no entanto, as determinações consensuais de biomarcadores não são realizadas sistematicamente ou os potenciais marcadores são explorados. Para validar a hipótese de que as metaloproteinases de matriz com atividade gelatinase são biomarcadores do consumo crônico de álcool, foram avaliadas amostras de sangue cd 100 alcoólatras que começaram a ser tratadas na Unidad de Trastornos Relacionados con el Alcohol e 50 doadores não-alcoólatras saudáveis. As amostras alcoólicas apresentaram atividade de gelatinase que triplicou a dos controles e pequenos más significativos aumentos nos níveis de γ-glutamil transferase, aspartato-aminotransferase e volume médio celular. Os valores de transferrina deficientes em carboidratos foram menores nos alcoolistas que nos controles. Esses resultados permitem que as gelatinases sejam propostas como os indicadores mais sensíveis do consumo sustentado de álcool na população analisada, uma vez que as enzimas hepáticas e o volume celular médio apresentam uma tendência consistente com a literatura, mas não alcançaram valores associados à patologia. Como a transferrina deficiente em carboidratos é considerada o biomarcador indireto mais sensível e específico do consumo crônico de álcool, os valores mais baixos em alcoólatras do que em controles sugerem problemas metodológicos que poderiam ser sanados pela aplicação de outras técnicas de mensuração pela presença de interferências que deben ser identificadas. Finalmente, esses achados justificam uma extensão deste trabalho piloto, bem como estudos adicionais voltados para a participação de metaloproteinases de matriz com atividade de gelatinase nas cascatas de danos associados ao consumo crônico de álcool.

Analysis of Caspase-9 protein and microRNAs miR-21, miR-126 and miR-155 related to the apoptosis mechanism in the cerebellum of rats submitted to focal cerebral ischemia associated with an alcoholism model / Análise da proteína Caspase-9 e dos microRNAs miR-21, miR-126 e miR-155 relacionados ao mecanismo de apoptose no cerebelo de ratos submetidos à isquemia cerebral focal associada ao modelo de alcoolismo

ABSTRACT This study aimed to analyze the cerebellum of rats submitted to an experimental focal cerebral ischemia, by middle cerebral artery occlusion for 90 minutes, followed by reperfusion for 48 hours, associated with an alcoholism model. Methods Fifty adult Wistar rats were used, subdivided into five experimental groups: control group (C): animals submitted to anesthesia only; sham group (S): animals submitted to complete simulation of the surgical procedure; ischemic group (I): animals submitted to focal cerebral ischemia for 90 minutes followed by reperfusion for 48 hours; alcoholic group (A): animals that received daily absolute ethanol diluted 20% in water for four weeks; and, ischemic and alcoholic group (I + A): animals receiving the same treatment as group A and, after four weeks, submitted to focal cerebral ischemia for 90 minutes, followed by reperfusion for 48 hours. The cerebellum samples were collected and immunohistochemical analysis of Caspase-9 protein and serum analysis by RT-PCR of microRNAs miR-21, miR-126 and miR155 were performed. Results The expression of Caspase-9 was higher in groups I, A and I + A. In the microRNAs analyses, miR-126 was higher in groups A and I + A, miR-155 was higher in groups I and I + A. Conclusions We conclude that apoptosis occurs in the cerebellar cortex, even if it is distant from the ischemic focus, and that microRNAs 126 and 155 show a correlation with cellular apoptosis in ischemic rats and those submitted to the chronic alcohol model.

RESUMO O objetivo deste estudo foi analisar o cerebelo de ratos submetidos à isquemia cerebral focal experimental, por oclusão da artéria cerebral média por 90 minutos, seguida de reperfusão por 48 horas, associada a um modelo de alcoolismo. Métodos Foram utilizados 50 ratos Wistar adultos, subdivididos em cinco grupos experimentais: grupo controle (C): animais submetidos apenas à anestesia; grupo sham (S): animais submetidos à simulação completa do procedimento cirúrgico; grupo isquêmico (I): animais submetidos à isquemia cerebral focal por 90 minutos, seguidos de reperfusão por 48 horas; grupo alcoólico (A): animais que receberam etanol absoluto diário diluído em 20% em água por quatro semanas; e grupo isquêmico e alcoólico (I + A): animais que recebem o mesmo tratamento do grupo A e, após quatro semanas, submetidos à isquemia cerebral focal por 90 minutos, seguidos de reperfusão por 48 horas. As amostras de cerebelo foram coletadas e a análise imuno-histoquímica da proteína Caspase-9 e a análise sérica por RT-PCR dos microRNAs miR-21, miR-126 e miR155 foram realizadas. Resultados A expressão de Caspase-9 foi maior nos grupos I, A e I + A. Nas análises de microRNAs, o miR-126 foi maior nos grupos A e I + A, o miR-155 foi maior nos grupos I e I + A. Conclusões Concluímos que a apoptose ocorre no córtex cerebelar, mesmo distante do foco isquêmico, e que os microRNAs 126 e 155 mostram uma correlação com a apoptose celular em ratos isquêmicos e submetidos ao modelo crônico de álcool.

Influence of comorbidities on CD4+/CD8+ proportion in HIV-positive patients in Blumenau, State of Santa Catarina: a retrospective study

Abstract INTRODUCTION: The objective was to identify comorbidities related to HIV-positive patients in Blumenau, State of Santa Catarina. METHODS: A retrospective, descriptive observational design study which analyzed data from 424 patients assisted by the sexually transmitted disease/acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (STD/AIDS) Specialized Care Service (SCS). RESULTS: Of 424 medical records analyzed, 388 patients presented CD4+/CD8+ ratios lower than 1. The most prevalent comorbidities were smoking, depression, alcoholism, and herpes zoster infection, in males and females. CONCLUSIONS: The most relevant comorbidity in both genders was herpes zoster, an important marker of immunity in patients. The lowest mean was observed among patients with neurotoxoplasmosis.

Analysis of 28 death cases involved with tumbling injury / 法医学杂志

OBJECTIVE@#To explore the general features and the keypoints of forensic medical examination in tumbling injury cases.@*METHODS@#Twenty-eight cases dying of tumbling injury were collected and the locations and features of injury were analyzed.@*RESULTS@#The occiput of head was the common position for the tumbling injury cases. Force, disease and alcohol were the main reasons for tumbling injury.@*CONCLUSION@#The injury is mild outside and severe inside from tumbling injury cases. The craniocerebral contrecoup is the significant feature in tumbling injury cases.

Nutritional profile of asymptomatic alcoholic patients / Perfil nutricional de pacientes alcoólatras assintomáticos

CONTEXT: Alcoholism may interfere with nutritional status, but reports are often troubled by uncertainties about ingested diet and organ function, as well as by ongoing abuse and associated conditions. OBJECTIVE: To identify nutritional and body compartment changes in stable alcoholics without confounding clinical and dietetic variables, a prospective observational pilot study was designed. Three well-matched populations were considered: subjects with chronic alcoholic pancreatitis, alcoholics without visceral disease, and healthy never-drinking adults (controls). METHODS: Subjects (n = 60) were asymptomatic males with adequate diet, no superimposed disease or complication, and alcohol-free for at least 6 months. After exclusions, 48 patients were compared. Variables encompassed dietary recall, bioimpedance analysis, biochemical profile and inflammatory markers. Main outcome measures were body fat, lean body mass, serum lipids, C-reactive protein, and selected minerals and vitamins. RESULTS: Both alcoholic populations suffered from reduced lean body mass (P = 0.001), with well-maintained body fat.Magnesium was depleted, and values of vitamin D and B12 correlated with alcohol abuse. LDL and total cholesterol was increased in alcoholics without pancreatitis (P = 0.04), but not in those with visceral damage. C-reactive protein and serum amyloid A correlated with duration of excessive drinking (P = 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: Undernutrition (diminished lean body mass, risk of magnesium and vitamin deficiencies) contrasted with dyslipidemia and increased cardiovascular risk. This second danger was masked during chronic pancreatitis but not in alcoholics without visceral disease. Further studies should focus special requirements of this population.

CONTEXTO: O alcoolismo pode interferir no estado nutricional, todavia, os relatos frequentemente sofrem com o viés das incertezas sobre dieta consumida, danos orgânicos subjacentes e persistência do abuso. OBJETIVO: Para identificar alterações nutricionais e de compartimentos corpóreos em alcoólatras estáveis sem variáveis de confusão clínica e dietética, foi desenhado o presente estudo piloto observacional prospectivo. Três populações bem pareadas foram consideradas: casos de pancreatite crônica alcoólica, alcoólatras sem enfermidade visceral e adultos que nunca consumiram etanol (controles). MÉTODOS: Os pacientes (n = 60) eram homens assintomáticos com dieta satisfatória, nenhuma evidência de enfermidade ou complicação exceto as do protocolo e afastados do etanol por no mínimo 6 meses. Após exclusões, 48 pacientes foram comparados. As variáveis abrangeram recordatório alimentar, análise de bioimpedância, perfil bioquímico e marcadores inflamatórios. Os principais resultados buscados foram gordura corporal, massa magra, lípides séricos, proteína C reativa e vitaminas e minerais selecionados. RESULTADOS: Os dois grupos que ingeriam álcool exibiram redução da massa magra (P = 0,001) com gordura corporal bem conservada. O magnésio estava diminuído e as taxas de vitamina D e B12 se correlacionaram com o abuso de álcool. O colesterol total e LDL estavam aumentados nos alcoólatras sem pancreatite (P = 0,04), porém, não naqueles com dano pancreático. A proteína C reativa e o seroamilóide A correlacionaram-se com a duração do excesso etílico (P = 0,01). CONCLUSÕES: A desnutrição (menor massa magra, possibilidade de carência de magnésio e vitaminas) contrastou com a dislipidemia e o risco cardiovascular elevado. Este segundo perigo permaneceu mascarado na vigência de pancreatite crônica, porém, não nos alcoólatras sem lesão visceral. Estudos adicionais deverão focalizar as necessidades nutricionais específicas desta população.

Determination of ethyl glucuronide in blood by GC-MS/MS / 法医学杂志

OBJECTIVE@#To develop a method for determining ethyl glucuronide(EtG) in human blood with gas chromatograph-tandem mass spectrometry (GC-MS/MS).@*METHODS@#Human blood protein was precipitated with acetonitrile. The supernatant was transferred and air flow dried after centrifugated. The residue was derived with N, O-bis (trimethylsilyl)trifluoroacetamide (BSTFA), and analyzed with GC-MS/MS.@*RESULTS@#The detection limit of EtG in blood was 0.05 microg/mL. Calibration curve covered a span from 0.1-10 microg/mL with a good linear relationship (r = 0.999 9). The method showed a excellent performance when was used to authentic blood sample analysis for EtG.@*CONCLUSION@#The method is suitable for blood EtG analysis.

Increased Transforming Growth Factor-beta1 in Alcohol Dependence

Ethanol and its metabolite acetaldehyde increase transforming growth factor beta1 (TGF-beta1) expression in animal studies. TGF-beta1 is related with the hepatic stellate cell (the key element of hepatic fibrogenesis) and the radial glia (the key element of neuronal migration). Blood samples were collected from 41 patients with alcohol dependence, TGF-beta1 levels measured by ELISA were compared with 41 normal subjects. Plasma TGF-beta1 levels in the patients with alcohol dependence (1,653.11+/-532.45 pg/mL) were significantly higher than those of healthy subjects (669.87+/-366.53 pg/mL) (P=0.000). Patients with or without liver pathology showed no difference in TGF-beta1 (P=0.36). Increased TGF-beta1 may mediate deleterious effect of alcohol such as hepatic fibrosis and suppressed neuronal developments in alcohol dependence patients.

Carbohydrate-deficient Transferrin as a Marker of Heavy Drinking in Korean Males

This study was performed to evaluate the usefulness of carbohydrate-deficient transferrin (CDT) as a marker of heavy drinking in Korean males. The subjects (143 Korean males) were classified into 2 groups according to the amount of drinking, moderate drinkers (72 individuals) who drank 14 drinks or less per week and heavy drinkers (71 individuals) who drank more than 14 drinks per week. Using %CDT, gamma glutamyl transferase (GGT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), and alanine aminotransferase (ALT) as clinical markers for heavy drinking, sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive values were investigated. Sensitivities of %CDT, GGT, AST, and ALT were 83.1%, 67.6%, 52.1% and 46.5%, respectively. Specificities were 63.9%, 45.8%, 72.2%, and 54.2%, respectively. Positive predictive values were 69.4%, 55.2%, 64.9%, and 50.0% respectively. Negative predictive values were 79.3%, 58.9%, 60.5%, and 50.6% respectively. The areas under the receiver operating characteristic curve (95% confidence interval) for %CDT, GGT, AST, and ALT were 0.823 (0.755-0.891), 0.578 (0.484-0.673), 0.622 (0.528-0.717), and 0.516 (0.420-0.613), respectively. CDT is considered as the most reliable marker for detecting heavy drinking in Korean males.

Alcohol abuse-duration dependent decrease in plasma testosterone and antioxidants in males.

Ethanol is a testicular toxin and it causes fertility abnormalities with low sperm count and impaired sperm motility in men. The present study was designed to investigate plasma testosterone level and hypothalamic pituitary gonadal (HPG) axis function in alcoholic men and also effect of ethanol on systemic oxidative stress. Forty six male alcohol abusers in the age group 20-40 years were selected. Fifty five, males in the same age group served as control. Alcohol abusers had significantly low plasma testosterone with low luteinizing hormone and follicle stimulating hormone. In addition they had significantly high thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS), superoxide dismutase and glutathione S-transferase, and low glutathione, ascorbic acid, catalase, glutathione reductase and glutathione peroxidase. Moreover, serum testosterone level in alcoholics negatively correlated with duration of alcohol abuse, and TBARS. Duration dependent decreased serum testosterone level in alcohol abusers might be due to 1) increased oxidative stress which can damage Leydig and supporting Sertoli cells and 2) impaired HPG axis.

Prevalence of hepatitis C virus in alcoholic patients: role of parenteral risk factors / Prevalência do vírus da hepatite C em alcoolistas: a atuação dos fatores de risco parenterais

BACKGROUND: The prevalence of hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection is elevated in alcoholic patients, but the risk factors are unclear. The role of parenteral risk factors are indeterminated in this population. AIMS: To determine the prevalence of hepatitis C virus infection in alcoholic patients admitted to a detoxification unit and to evaluate the presence of underlying parenteral risk factors. METHODS: A total of 114 consecutive unselected alcoholic patients admitted to a single chemical dependency unit during 14 month were included. Epidemiological data and history of parenteral risk factors for hepatitis C virus infection were obtained with a standardized questionnaire. Blood was collected for determination of aminotransferases and anti-hepatitis C virus antibodies (ELISA-3). Positive samples were confirmed by polymerase chain reaction and tested for genotype. RESULTS: Among the 114 alcoholics, 17 (15 percent) were anti-hepatitis C virus positive. Of these, 12 (71 percent) had detectable serum HCV-RNA by PCR. Genotype 1 was found in six cases and genotype 3 in five (one patient was undetermined). Forty-nine (43 percent) patients had elevated serum ALT and/or AST at baseline. The comparison between the 17 positive and the 97 negative patients showed significant differences in mean serum ALT levels (42 ± 41 IU/L vs. 22 ± 20 IU/L), rate of elevated ALT (65 percent vs. 34 percent), and presence of parenteral risk factors (94 percent vs. 10 percent). Comparison between alcoholic patients with and without elevated aminotransferases showed significant difference only in the rate of positive anti-hepatitis C virus antibodies (24 percent vs. 7 percent). Furthermore, among the 17 anti-hepatitis C virus positive patients, the rate of detectable HCV-RNA was significantly higher in the 12 with elevated aminotransferases versus the 5 with normal aminotransferases (92 percent vs. 20 percent). CONCLUSIONS: There was a high prevalence of anti-hepatitis C virus antibodies in alcoholics and the majority was confirmed by the presence of detectable HCV-RNA. Intravenous drug use was the main risk factor for hepatitis C virus infection in this population.

RACIONAL: A prevalência da infecção pelo vírus da hepatite C (VHC) é elevada em pacientes alcoolistas, porém os fatores de risco não estão bem estabelecidos. O papel dos fatores de risco parenterais permanece ainda indefinido nessa população. OBJETIVOS: Determinar a prevalência da infecção pelo VHC em alcoolistas internados em uma unidade de desintoxicação, e avaliar a presença de fatores de risco parenteral subjacentes. PACIENTES E MÉTODOS: Foram estudados 114 alcoolistas, não selecionados, consecutivamente admitidos em uma unidade de dependência química durante 14 meses. Através de questionário estruturado, obtiveram-se os dados epidemiológicos e história de fatores de risco parenteral para infecção pelo VHC. Foi coletado sangue para determinação de aminotransferases e anticorpos anti-VHC (ELISA-3). As amostras positivas foram confirmadas pela PCR e determinado o genótipo. RESULTADOS: Entre os 114 alcoolistas, 17 (15 por cento) eram anti-VHC positivos. Doze (71 por cento) tinham RNA do VHC detectável por PCR no soro. O genótipo 1 foi encontrado em seis casos e o genótipo 3 em cinco (em um paciente foi indeterminado). Quarenta e quatro (43 por cento) pacientes tinham ALT e/ou AST elevadas. A comparação entre os 17 pacientes positivos e os 97 negativos mostrou diferenças significativas na média do nível da ALT (42 ± 41 UI/L vs. 22 ± 20 UI/L), na taxa de ALT elevada (65 por cento vs. 34 por cento), e na presença de fatores de risco parenteral (94 por cento vs. 10 por cento). A comparação entre alcoolistas com e sem aminotransferases elevadas mostrou diferença significativa apenas na taxa de anti-VHC positivo (24 por cento vs. 7 por cento). Entretanto, entre os 17 pacientes anti-VHC positivos, a taxa de RNA do VHC detectável no soro foi significativamente maior entre os 12 com aminotransferases elevadas do que entre os 5 com aminotransferases normais (92 por cento vs. 20 por cento). CONCLUSÃO: A prevalência de anti-VHC foi elevada em alcoolistas, sendo a maioria confirmada pela presença do RNA do VHC no soro. O uso de drogas injetáveis foi o principal fator de risco para infecção pelo VHC nesta população.

Biochemical measures in the diagnosis of alcohol dependence using discriminant analysis.

BACKGROUND: Alcohol dependence often cannot be diagnosed based on self-report alone. Various biochemical and haematological parameters have been used to screen alcohol use disorders. AIM: To develop discriminant equations based on lipid and liver measures independently for identifying alcohol dependent and non-dependent subjects. SETTINGS AND DESIGN: Case control study in a tertiary care hospital. METHODS AND MATERIALS: One hundred subjects fulfilling the criteria of alcohol dependence and seventy healthy controls were included. The socio-demographic details, caloric intake, height, weight and blood pressure were recorded. Samples were analysed for various lipid measures as well as liver function. STATISTICAL ANALYSIS USED: Diagnostic values such as sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value (PV+), negative predictive value (PV-) and discriminant analysis. RESULTS: Using discriminant analysis, two equations were constructed based on liver and lipid measures independently. 84.7% of the subjects on the basis of total cholesterol (TC), apolipoprotein B (ApoB) and low density lipoprotein/high density lipoprotein-cholesterol (LDL/HDL-c and 89.1% on the basis of aspartate amino transferase (AST) and gamma glutamyl transferase (GGT) were correctly classified into their respective groups. CONCLUSIONS: This study demonstrates the ability of TC, ApoB and LDL/HDL-c (among lipid measures) and AST and GGT (among liver measures) in discriminating alcohol dependents from non-dependent subjects.

Utility of gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase and mean corpuscular volume in alcoholic liver disease.

The present study was designed to establish the role of Gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase (gamma-GT) and mean corpuscular volume (MCV) in alcoholic liver disease (ALD). Serum gamma-GT, total and direct bilirubin, albumin, total protein, AST, ALT and ALP were assayed by standard methods in a clinical chemistry autoanalyser. MCV, Hb, PCV and RBC were measured by an automated cell counter. Activity of gamma-GT and MCV levels were significantly higher in the patients with ALD compared to controls. A gamma-GT level of > or = 25 U/l was found to be significantly associated with ALD. MCV level > or = 100 fl/l showed a significant association with ALD. An AST to ALT ratio > 1 was found in 92% of the patients. None of the patients showed an ALT level > or = 300 IU/l. The degree of AST elevation in the patients with ALD was higher (3.7 times) then ALT (3.2 times). A gamma-GT level > or = 25 IU/L and an MCV level > or = 100 fl/l stand as markers of heavy alcohol consumption in this study. An AST to ALT ratio > 1 was present in most of the patients with ALD. The degree of elevation of AST was higher than ALT in the patients with ALD.

Influence of habits on masons' blood cholesterol.

Plasma total cholesterol, HDL cholesterol, glucose and total protein were estimated in (male) masons without any habits (normal masons) and masons with habits (cigarette smoking, alcohol consumption and betel-quid cum tobacco chewing) and compared with normal subjects. Masons had less total cholesterol and more HDL cholesterol when compared with normal subjects, which may be due to their occupational physical activities. Among masons, cigarette-smoking masons alone had more total cholesterol and less HDL cholesterol. Blood glucose also decreased in masons and more so in betel-quid cum tobacco chewing masons when compared with normal subjects while total protein content showed no variation.

Vantagens e limitacoes do uso da urina como amostra biologica na dosagem alcoolica / Advantages and limitations in the use of urine as biological sample in the alcoholic dosage

Tendo em vista o grande interesse do uso da urina nos programas de controle e prevencao do uso de alcool e drogas no ambiente de trabalho e nas clinicas de reabilitacao, surge a necessidade de estudos mais detalhados sobre o fator de conversao utilizado para tranformar os valores de concentracao urinaria e sanguinea e sua validade...

Cytochemical & ultrastructural alteration of cytoplasmic granules of rat peripheral blood neutrophils induced by chronic alcoholism & malnutrition.

The specific influence of malnutrition on the pathophysiologic changes induced by chronic alcoholism is controversial. In an attempt to determine and demarcate the effects of protein malnutrition from those produced by alcoholism and to evaluate the precise effect of alcohol per se on cytochemical and ultrastructural properties of rat polymorphonuclear neutrophil (PMN) granules, we investigated the influence of chronic protein malnutrition or chronic alcoholism alone and in combination, in rats. After a 4 month experimental period various PMN properties, such as cytochemical, morphometrical and ultrastructural, as well as neutrophil functions were studied. It was found that the degree of damage of PMNs induced either by ethanol or protein malnutrition alone was similar whereas their combination led to worsening of all markers of PMN functional ability. Ultrastructural changes of neutrophil granules including reduction, redistribution and atypical accumulation as well as appearance of autophagic vacuoles, confirmed their alteration which was emphasised by the additive pathophysiological interaction of alcoholism and chronic hypoprotein malnutrition.

Concentraciones séricas de calcio y magnesio en alcohólicos durante el tratamiento de desintoxicación / Serum concentrations of calcium and magnesium in alcoholics in the course of detoxification treatment

Se examinaron los cambios de las concentraciones de calcio y magnesio séricos en 24 individuos alcohólicos durante el tratamiento de desintoxicación. El grupo control estuvo compuesto por individuos supuestamente sanos. Las concentraciones de calcio y magnesio séricos en el grupo de alcohólicos al inicio del tratamiento fueron significativamente más bajas que las del grupo control y por debajo del intervalo de valores normales. Después del tratamiento de desintoxicación, se observaron valores similares a los del grupo control pero aún por debajo del intervalo de valores normales para estos minerales. Los resultados indican que los alcohólicos incluidos en este trabajo se enfrentaron a un riesgo nutricional y fisiológico superior al esperado por concepto de la ingestión continuada de alcohol

Surface changes of the erythrocytes membrane in alcoholics--a study of lectin binding.

Erythrocytes from 30 alcoholic patients as well as age and sex matched healthy control were examined, for hemagglutination titre, against, a purified galactose specific lectin from the latex of Pedilanthus tithymalodies. Mean hemagglutinin titre was significantly elevated (P < 0.001) in alcoholics as compared to controls. The results indicate that alcohol abuse is associated with adoptive cell surface changes on erythrocytes, measurable by its lectin binding capacity.

Consumo reciente de alcohol y drogas en accidentes del trabajo / Recent use of alcohol and drugs in victims of work related accidents

Background: Twenty to twenty two percent of work related accidents have a direct or indirect relationship with recent alcohol use. Aim: To detect recent alcohol or drug use in patients who required hospitalization for severe work related accidents. Patients and methods: Blood and urine samples were obtained from patients admitted to a hospital within 6 hours of an accident severe enough to require hospitalization. Blood alcohol and urinary metabolites of cocaine, marijuana, amphetamines and benzodiazepines were measured. Patient identity was kept confidential throughout the study. Once patients were stabilized, they were interviewed by a psychologist that was blind to laboratory results. Results: Two hundred thirty men and 18 women were studied and 29 percent (30 percent of men and 17 percent of women) had recent use of alcohol or drugs. The most common substances were alcohol in 15 percent and benzodiazepines in 13 percent. Use of alcohol or drugs was found in 21 percent of professionals, in 33 percent of other occupational levels, half of agricultural workers and 25 percent of commerce workers. Only two of 60 positive cases, admitted substance use during the interview. Most of negative cases admitted the use of alcohol or other drugs during the month prior to the accident. Conclusions: Recent use of alcohol and drugs is frequent among severe work related accident victims. Probably, a high proportion of these subjects are problem drinkers. The combination of alcohol and benzodiazepines is an additional risk factor