Ethanol in low chronic dose level attenuates major organic effects in malnourished rats

The aim of the present study was to evaluate the chronic toxicity of ethanol low blood levels in malnourished rats. Female Wistar rats (220 g) were subjected to either an ad libitum diet (W, well-nourished, n=10) or food restriction (M, malnourished, n=10). Water (WW and MW) or ethanol solution (W5 percent and M5 percent) was offered to half of each nutritional group (n=5) as the only fluid source. The treatment was continued for two months. After sacrifice, blood biochemical parameters and macroscopic, histologic and morphometric evaluation of the liver were performed. Results indicated that: Ethanol consumption was higher in malnourished rats and minimized body weight loss in malnourished rats, while it decreased the body weight gain in well-nourished ones. Behavioral ethanol intoxication was more severe in malnourished rats. Malnutrition decreased hematocrit and hemoglobin but, on the other hand, ethanol was a protective factor of that effect (hemoglobin: MW 10.6 mg/dl / ME 13.02 mg/dl, p< 0.05). Ethanol increased the relative liver weight of both well-nourished and malnourished rats. Ethanol intake minimized iron pigment, collagen area and binuclear hepatocyte/ field increased by malnutrition. These data are in accordance with previous reports which showed ethanol as an important source of calories and, even chronically, ethanol still attenuates the effects of malnutrition.

Brazilian study on substance misuse in adolescents: associated factors and adherence to treatment

OBJECTIVES: To investigate developmental and environmental factors associated to substance misuse in adolescents seen at a university day-hospital in Brazil and to verify the correlations between those factors and adherence to treatment. To compare factors associated to substance misuse in adolescents with the available scientific literature and to suggest specific preventive interventions for a national policy in Brazil. METHODS: Eighty-six adolescent's guardians were evaluated at admission to the service by using a semistructured interview including sociodemographic data, family relationship, perinatal and pregnancy histories, psychomotor and educational development, social relations, history of previous illnesses and family diseases, including drug abuse. RESULTS: The sample was predominantly male (90 percent). Adolescents referred from the criminal justice were older than those originating from other sources (16.4 x 15.4 years old p=.00). Forty-four percent of adolescents reported school failure, a level which is two times higher than Brazilian statistics. Forty percent of the sample had criminal involvement, mainly drug dealing. Cannabis was the most prevalent reported drug. Living with both parents was protective, delaying the age of initiation by one year. Domestic violence was more frequent among parents with illicit drugs abuse (38.1 percent x 12.5 percent, p<.05). Alcoholism and drug addiction in parents and relatives were about four times higher than those reported for the Brazilian population. No correlation was found between the investigated factors and adherence to treatment. CONCLUSION: Our results indicate that the programs must include treatment of adults and education of parents and parents to be. Withdrawal of treatment occurs in the first month, and seems to be related to factors extrinsic to the adolescent