Effect of violence films viewing on serum catecholamines and nitrites in male adolescents

This study is an attempt to determine the physiological effects of violence films viewing [VFV] in teenagers. For this purpose, 100 male teenagers volunteers [11-15 years] participated in this study. They were divided into 2 equal groups. The first group [Group I] was accustomed to VFV, while the second group [Group II] was not accustomed to VFV. Violence films [Natural Born Killer and Scream I "R-rated"] were viewed to participant volunteers for 3 hours. Blood samples were withdrawn before and after VFV [pre and post viewing samples]. Serum catecholamines [epinephrine [E], norepinephrine [N] and dopamine [D]] and nitrites [as an indicator of nitric oxide [NO]] were measured in pre-viewing and post viewing samples so that each participant acted as his own control. Results of the first group clearly revealed that serum catecholamines [E, N and D] levels were significantly increased. While nitrite levels were significantly decreased in post viewing samples compared to, pre- viewing samples. In the second group, serum E and nitrites were significantly increased, while serum N and D were significantly decreased in post viewing samples compared to pre-viewing samples. It is concluded that previous experience with VFV caused an aggressive stress response in group I; while lack of this past experience in group II was reflected as an attenuated stress response

Cardiovascular effects of violence films in male adolescents

In this study, the cardiovascular [CV] effects of violence film viewing [VFV] were studied. For this purpose, two groups of adolescent volunteers participated in this study. The first group [50 males aged 11-15 years] was violent film viewers, whereas the second group [50 males aged 11-15 years] was not accustomed to view violent film. Before included in the study, written consent and clinical examination were done. The CV parameters [blood pressures and ECG parameters] were recorded before and after VFV, so that each participant acted as his own control. These parameters were: Heart rate [HR], systolic and diastolic blood pressure [SBP and DBP], mean pressure [MP], pulse pressure [PP], the durations of P-R interval, QRS, Q-Tc, R-R interval, S-T segment and interval and the voltage of R and T waves. Statistical analysis of data showed that there were a significant increase in HR, SBP, DBP, PP and MP in group I after VFV compared to their control pre-viewing values. There were significant decrease in R wave and T wave voltage, the durations of P-R, QRS, Q-Tc, R-R and ST in group I after VFV compared to their control previewing values. In group II, there were significant decrease in HR. SBP, DBP, PP and MP after VFV compared with their previewing control values. While there were significant increase in R and T waves voltage, durations of P-R, QRS, Q-Tc [Q-T correct], R-R and ST after VFV compared with their control previewing values there. Previous experience with VFV resulted in sympathetic reactions whereas non accustomed to VFV showed parasympathetic reaction. This may be due to aggressive stress response associated with previous experience with VFV in group I while lack of this past experience could lead to less aggressive reactions in group II