Ingestion of a moderate dose of alcohol enhances physical exercise-induced changes in blood lactate concentration

The consumption of alcoholic beverages influences carbohydrate and lipid metabolism, although it is not yet clear whether metabolism during physical exercise at different intensities is also affected. This was the objective of the present study. Eight young and healthy volunteers performed a treadmill test to identify the running speed corresponding to a lactate concentration of 4 mM (S4mM). At least 48 h later, they were subjected to two experimental trials (non-alcohol or alcohol) in which they performed two 1-km running sessions at the following intensities: 1) S4mM; 2) 15% above S4mM. In both trials, blood lactate, triglycerides, and glucose concentrations were measured before and after exercise. The acute alcohol intake increased triglycerides, but not lactate concentration under resting conditions. Interestingly, alcohol intake enhanced the exercise-induced increase in lactate concentration at the two intensities: S4mM (non-alcohol: 4.2±0.3 mM vs alcohol: 4.8±0.9 mM; P=0.003) and 15% above S4mM trial (P=0.004). When volunteers ingested alcohol, triglycerides concentration remained increased after treadmill running (e.g., at S4mM - at rest; non-alcohol: 0.2±0.5 mM vs alcohol: 1.3±1.3 mM; P=0.048). In contrast, glucose concentration was not modified by either alcohol intake, exercise, or their combination. We concluded that an acute alcohol intake changed lactate and lipid metabolism without affecting blood glucose concentration. In addition, the increase in lactate concentration caused by alcohol was specifically observed when individuals exercised, whereas augmented triglycerides concentration was already observed before exercise and was sustained thereafter.

Relationship between Blood Acetaldehyde Concentration and Psychomotor Function of Individuals with Different ALDH2 Genotypes after Alcohol Consumption / 法医学杂志

Objective To explore the change rules of blood ethanol and blood acetaldehyde concentration, the impairment of psychomotor functions of different acetaldehyde dehydrogenase （ALDH） 2 genotype individuals after alcohol consumption and the relationship among them. Methods The ALDH2 genotypes in seventy-nine healthy volunteers were obtained by SNaPshotTM method, then divided into ALDH2*1/*1 （wild type） and ALDH2*1/*2 （mutant type） group. After volunteers consumed 1.0 g/kg of alcohol, blood ethanol concentration and blood acetaldehyde concentration at a series of time points before and after alcohol consumption and psychomotor functions, such as, visual selective response time, auditory simple response time and tracking experiment were detected. Biphasic alcohol response questionnaires were collected. Results After alcohol consumption, ALDH2*1/*2 group's blood ethanol and blood acetaldehyde concentration reached the peak earlier than ALDH2*1/*1 group. Its blood acetaldehyde concentration was higher than that of ALDH2*1/*1 group, 1-6 h after alcohol consumption. The psychomotor functions, such as visual selective response time and auditory simple response time in ALDH2*1/*2 group were more significantly impaired than those in ALDH2*1/*1 group after alcohol consumption. There was no statistical significance between the two groups in excitement or sedation reactions （P>0.05）. Pearson correlation coefficient test showed that blood acetaldehyde concentration was related with psychomotor function. Conclusion There are significant differences between the psychomotor function of ALDH2 wild type and mutant type individuals after alcohol consumption estimated to be related to the difference in blood acetaldehyde concentration after alcohol consumption.

Effect of chronic ingestion of wine on the glycemic, lipid and body weight homeostasis in mice / Efeito da ingestão crônica de vinho sobre a homeostase glicêmica, lipídica e ponderal em camundongos

ABSTRACT Background: The health benefits associated with moderate wine consumption, as with ethanol and phenolic compounds, include different mechanisms still little understandable. Aim: Evaluate glycemic and weight variations, and the deposit of triglycerides, cholesterol and liver glycogen with red wine consumption. Methods: 60 ApoE knockout mice were divided into three groups of 20: Wine Group (WG), Ethanol Group (EG) and Water Group (WAG). They received daily: WG 50 ml of wine and 50 ml water; EG 6 ml ethanol and WAG 94 ml of water. All groups were followed for four months. The food intake was monitored daily, in the period from eight to ten hours and held every five days. The measurement of water intake was also made every five days. The weighing of the animals took place every ten days. Results: The WG had higher weight increase as compared to the other groups. The concentration of hepatic triglyceride was higher in WG (57%) and the EG group was lower (31.6%, p<0.01) than the control. The concentration of cholesterol was lower in the WG (23.6%), as well as EG (24.5%, p<0.05). The concentration of glycogen was higher in WG (16%) and fasting blood glucose was higher in EG compared to the other groups but not both demonstrated a statistically significant difference. Conclusion: The WG increased triglyceride and WAG decreased cholesterol. The triglyceride may be increased due to the high caloric value of wine or some unknown property that led to significant increase in subcutaneous andretroperitoneal fat in mice.

RESUMO Racional: Os benefícios para a saúde associados ao consumo moderado de vinho, como etanol e compostos fenólicos, incluem mecanismos diferentes ainda pouco compreensíveis. Objetivo: Avaliar as variações da glicemia, peso e depósito de triglicrideos, colesterol e glicogênio hepático com o uso de vinho tinto. Métodos: Sessenta camundongos ApoE knockout foram divididos em três grupos de 20: Grupo do Vinho (WG), grupo do Etanol (EG) Grupo Água (WAG). Cada grupo recebeu diariamente: WG 50 ml de vinho e 50 ml de água; EG 6 ml de etanol e WAG 94 ml de água. Resultados: O WG teve aumento de peso mais elevado em comparação com os outros grupos. A concentração de triglicerídeos foi maior no WG (57%) e no grupo EG inferior (31,6%) do que no controle (p <0,01). A concentração de colesterol foi inferior no WG (23,6%) e no EG (24,5%, p<0,05). A concentração de glicogênio foi maior no WG (16%); a glicemia capilar foi maior no EG em comparação com os outros grupos, mas não demonstrou diferença estatisticamente significativa. Conclusão: Triglicerídeos ficaram aumentados no WG e o colesterol diminuiu no WAG. Os triglicerídeos podem ter aumentado devido ao alto valor calórico do vinho ou alguma propriedade desconhecida que levou ao aumento significativo da gordura subcutânea e retroperitoneal nos camundongos.

Alcohol intake and risk of injury

Injuries constitute a leading cause of morbidity and mortality in the world, with intentional injuries and those related to traffic most important, due to their social impact and high prevalence. Although alcohol consumption has been identified as a risk factor for injuries, few studies have assessed risk separately for intentional injuries and unintentional injuries caused by traffic, and by other causes. The objective of this paper was to estimate the risk of injuries after acute alcohol consumption for intentional injuries and unintentional traffic and non-traffic injuries, using, alternatively, two exposure measures: self-reported drinking prior to the event and blood alcohol concentration. A probability sample was collected of 540 patients from the emergency department of a hospital in Argentina. Logistic regressions were performed, with and without adjusting for gender, age and drinking pattern. Higher risks were found when blood alcohol concentration was used as a measure of consumption, compared to self-report. The highest risk estimates were obtained for intentional injuries, followed by unintentional traffic and, lastly, by unintentional non-traffic injuries. After controlling for confounders, risks for intentional and unintentional traffic injuries appeared similar for those above and below the legal limit. Results point to a significant involvement of alcohol in the regional context.

Las lesiones constituyen una de las causas principales de morbi-mortalidad. La ingesta aguda de alcohol ha sido identificada como un factor de riesgo importante. Sin embargo, muy pocos estudios han explorado el nivel de riesgo de forma separada para lesiones intencionales y no intencionales causadas por siniestros de tráfico y por otras causas, lo que constituye el principal objetivo de este artículo. Se recolectaron datos de una muestra probabilística (n = 540) de pacientes ingresantes al servicio de emergencia de un hospital interzonal, en Mar del Plata, Argentina. Se efectuaron regresiones logísticas utilizando pacientes no lesionados como grupo control. Cuando el riesgo se evaluó usando nivel de alcohol en sangre como medida de consumo agudo en lugar de autoinforme, los riesgos hallados fueron más elevados. En cuanto a los grupos de causas, la magnitud de riesgo fue mayor para las lesiones intencionales, en segundo lugar para las no intencionales por tránsito y en tercero para las no intencionales por otras causas. Luego de ajustar posibles factores de confusión (edad, género y patrones de consumo habitual de alcohol) las estimaciones de riesgo para lesiones intencionales y no intencionales por tránsito fueron similares entre aquellos con niveles de alcohol en sangre por debajo y por encima del límite legal. Los resultados presentados indican que, en la región, la ingesta de alcohol es un factor de riesgo importante de lesiones.

Predictors of positive Blood Alcohol Concentration (BAC) in a sample of Brazilian drivers / Preditores de alcoolemia positiva em uma amostra de motoristas brasileiros

OBJECTIVE: To verify the frequency of positive Blood Alcohol Concentration (BAC) among drivers and to examine associated factors in a cross-sectional study of Brazilian state capitals. METHODS: 3,398 drivers were approached on highways crossing all 27 Brazilian capitals from 12 p.m. to 12 a.m. (Fridays and Saturdays). They were breathalyzed and data on their driving characteristics and alcohol consumption were collected. Multivariate logistic regression following a hierarchical conceptual framework was used to evaluate associated factors. RESULTS: The overall weighted prevalence of positive BAC (> 0.1 mg/L) was 4.2%. The multivariate analysis showed that education up to 8 years (OR = 2.0; 95% CI: 1.4-3.0), age > 30 years (OR = 2.6; 95% CI: 1.8-3.8), type of vehicle (cars: OR = 3.0; 95% CI: 1.7-5.1; motorcycles: OR = 3.7; 95% CI: 2.1-6.4), binge drinking (OR = 1.7; 95% CI: 1.3-2.4), having been breathalyzed before (OR = 2.6; 95% CI: 1.8-3.7), and purpose of the trip (coming from a party: OR = 1.9; 95% CI: 1.3-3.0; leisure trip: OR = 1.7; 95% CI: 1.32.4; driving after 8 p.m.: OR = 1.7; 95% CI: 1.3-2.3) were independently associated with DUI. CONCLUSION: Study findings suggest that selected external environmental factors, such as socioeconomic and demographic characteristics as well as personal characteristics like alcohol consumption and the relationship between drinking and driving were associated with positive BAC among Brazilian drivers. Results can help to inform drinking and driving policy and preventive approaches.

OBJETIVO: Verificar a frequência de alcoolemia positiva entre os motoristas e examinar fatores associados em um estudo transversal nas capitais brasileiras. MÉTODOS: 3.398 motoristas foram abordados em rodovias que atravessam todas as 27 capitais brasileiras nos horários entre 12:00 e 00:00 (sextas e sábados). Eles realizaram o teste do etilômetro e foram coletados dados sobre suas características de condução e consumo de álcool. Para avaliar os fatores associados, foi realizada uma regressão logística multivariável seguindo um quadro conceitual hierárquico. RESULTADOS: A prevalência de alcoolemia positiva (> 0,1 mg/L) foi de 4,2%. A regressão logística múltipla mostrou que educação (até 8 anos de estudo: OR = 2,0; IC 95%: 1,4-3,0), idade (> 30 anos: OR = 2,6; IC 95%: 1,8-3,8), tipo de veículo (dirigir um carro: OR = 3,0; IC 95%: 1,7-5,1; conduzir uma motocicleta: OR = 3,7; IC 95%: 2,1-6,4), consumo excessivo de álcool (OR = 1,7; IC 95%: 1,3-2,4), ter realizado o teste do etilômetro anteriormente (OR = 2,6; IC 95%: 1,8-3,7), e a finalidade da viagem (retorno de uma festa: OR = 1,9; IC 95%:1,3-3,0; viagem de lazer: OR = 1,7; IC 95%: 1,3-2,4; e estar dirigindo após as 20 horas: OR = 1,7; IC 95%: 1,3-2,3) foram independentemente associados com o dirigir sob influência de álcool. CONCLUSÃO: Os resultados sugerem que fatores ambientais externos selecionados, tais como características socioeconômicas e demográficas, bem como características pessoais, como o consumo de álcool e comportamento em relação a beber e dirigir, foram associados com alcoolemia positiva entre os motoristas brasileiros. Os resultados podem ajudar a orientar políticas em relação a beber e dirigir e abordagens preventivas.

Ley chilena de tolerancia cero al alcohol: fortalezas, falencias y carencias que no deben ser obviadas / Alcohol zero tolerance law in Chile: strengths, flaws and shortcomings that should not be overlooked

Background: Chile has recently entered into force Act No. 20.580, which modifies the legal limits of blood alcohol concentration in drivers and increases the penalties for driving under the influence of alcohol, narcotics or psychotropic substances. The aim of this review was to give an account of the strengths of this new law but, at the same time, to alert the scientific and legal community about its flaws. We also present some shortcomings of Chilean regulatory framework that remain uncorrected, those that should be considered in the design of public policies for improving road safety and the criteria that judges should ponder during judgment, to determine either conviction or acquittal.

Alcoolemia e etanol no ar exalado: validação de uma metodologia rápida e sua aplicação em um grupo populacionalexposto a doses controladas / Alcohol and ethanol in exhaled air: validation of a rapid methodology and its application in a population group exposed to controlled doses

O consumo de bebidas alcoólicas é praticado pela sociedade desde, pelo menos, o início dos registros históricos em rituais religiosos, comemorações e confraternizações. Na saúde, o etanol é utilizado como antiséptico e desinfetante. Também é empregado como veículo para alguns tipos de apresentações farmacêuticas. Contudo, seu principal impacto é devido ao uso não-médico, tanto pela alta frequência de uso como pelos inúmerosproblemas de Saúde e Segurança Pública a ele associados. Com a entrada em vigor da chamada “Lei Seca” faz-se necessário um maior conhecimento dos efeitos do etanol sobre o organismo humano especificamente sobre apopulação brasileira. Assim, este trabalho tem por objetivo realizar os procedimentos de validação de uma metodologia cromatográfica para identificação e quantificação de etanol e do acetaldeído e de sua aplicação emum grupo populacional exposto. Nesta validação foram estudados os critérios e estabelecidas as condições cromatográficas que atendam ao objetivo supracitado. Foram analisados pela metodologia padronizado e pelo etilômetro, 6 indivíduos nesse primeiro momento, estando o valor do etilômetro subestimado em 40 por cento em 4 desses casos, diferença que no entanto desaparece quando esses dados são estudados de forma conjunta, sendoentão estatisticamente semelhantes. Assim deve-se utilizar individualmente esses resultados, para que as características metabólicas singulares de cada um, sejam evidenciadas. Existe também a necessidade de análises de um grupo maior, para que haja maior robustez nos resultados.

Uso de álcool em vítimas de acidentes de trânsito: estudo do nível de alcoolemia / Uso de alcohol en accidentes de tránsito: estudio del nivel de alcoholemia / Alcohol use and traffic accidents: a study of alcohol levels

Trata-se de estudo exploratório descritivo. O objetivo foi correlacionar os níveis de alcoolemia, detectados nas vítimas fatais por acidentes de trânsito, na cidade do Rio de Janeiro, a partir dos registros do Instituto Medico Legal -IML, com o perfil da vítima e as características dos acidentes. Os dados foram levantados no arquivo do IML, por meio dos prontuários de vítimas fatais por acidentes de trânsito, compilados e tabulados Poe meio do programa estatístico SPSS, no período compreendido entre janeiro e maio de 2005. Avaliaram-se 348 prontuários de vítimas fatais por acidentes de trânsito. Desses, apenas 94 realizaram o exame de alcoolemia, sendo que 83 apresentaram alcoolemia positiva e 60,2 por cento níveis acima de 0,6g/l. Evidenciou-se o envolvimento do álcool com vítimas fatais nos acidentes de trânsito em níveis acima e abaixo de 0,6g/l de álcool por litro de sangue.

Se trata de estudio epidemiológico exploratorio y descriptivo. El objetivo fue correlacionar los niveles de alcoholemia detectados en las víctimas fatales por accidentes de tránsito, en la ciudad de Río de Janeiro (datos de los registros del Instituto Médico Legal/IML) con el perfil de la víctima y las características de los accidentes. Los datos fueron recolectados del archivo del IML, a través de los registros que constaban en las fichas de víctimas fatales por accidentes de tránsito; fueron compilados y se elaboraron tablas con el Programa estadístico SPSS, en el período comprendido entre enero y mayo de 2005. Fueron levantados datos sobre 348 víctimas fatales por accidentes de tránsito, de estos, apenas 94 realizaron el examen de alcoholemia, siendo que en 83 fueron detectados niveles de alcoholemia; el 60,2 por ciento presentó niveles por encima de 0,6g de alcohol por litro de sangre. Se mostró evidente el envolvimiento del alcohol en accidentes de tránsito con víctimas fatales, en niveles por encima y por debajo de 0,6g de alcohol por litro de sangre.

This was an exploratory, descriptive study that aimed to correlate alcohol levels detected in fatal victims of traffic accidents, in Rio de Janeiro city, with the victim’s profile and the characteristics of the accident. The data were retrieved from the registers of the Legal Medicine Institute/IML, through the registers of the medical records of the fatal victims of traffic accidents. Compiled and tabulated using the Statistics Program SPSS, for the period between January and May 2005, 348 fatal victims of traffic accidents were reported. Of these victims, 94 had been tested for alcohol, of these, 83 had levels of alcohol detected, 60.2 percent presented levels above 0.6g/l blood. The use of alcohol was evident, at levels above and below 0.6g per liter of blood, in the cases of fatal victims of traffic accidents.

Consumo de sustancias y suicidios en México: resultados del sistema de vigilancia epidemiológica de las adicciones, 1994-2006 / Substance use in suicides in Mexico: results of the epidemiological surveillance system of addictions, 1994-2006

OBJETIVO: Determinar la relación que existe entre el consumo y número de sustancias y la presentación del suicidio. MATERIAL Y MÉTODOS: Los datos se tomaronde la cédula forense del Sistema de Vigilancia Epidemiológica de las Adicciones entre 1994 y 2006 de 27 entidades federativas participantes en México. RESULTADOS: El suicidio se presentó en 8.7% de las defunciones por causa violenta en el periodo de estudio. En los hombres se observó que a medida que aumentaba el número de sustancias se elevaba la posibilidad para fallecer por suicidio, en comparación con los decesos por otras causas (una sustancia: RM= 1.8; dos o más: RM= 3.3). En las mujeres, dicha posibilidad se mantiene prácticamente igual en relación con el aumento del número de sustancias detectadas (una sustancia: RM= 3.2; dos o más: RM= 3.6). CONCLUSIÓN: El consumo de sustancias es un factor importante vinculado con el suicidio en los sujetos cuya causa de defunción fue dictaminada por el Servicio Médico Forense mexicano.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the association between substance use and the number of substances with the presentation of suicide. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Data were taken from the forensic certificate of the Epidemiological Surveillance System of Addictions in the period between 1994 and 2006 from 27 states in Mexico. RESULTS: Suicide was detected in 8.7% of the violent deaths during the study period. Among men, it was observed that the increased number of substances increased the possibility for death by suicide, compared to deaths from other causes (one substance: OR = 1.8; two or more: OR = 3.3). In women, that possibility remains virtually unchanged with the increase in the number of substances detected (one substance: OR = 3.2; two or more: OR = 3.6). DISCUSSION: The use of substances is a major factor associated with suicide in the population whose cause of death was issued by the Mexican Forensic Medical Services.

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.

Short-term red wine consumption promotes differential effects on plasma levels of high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, sympathetic activity, and endothelial function in hypercholesterolemic, hypertensive, and healthy subjects

OBJECTIVES: To compare the metabolic, hemodynamic, autonomic, and endothelial responses to short-term red wine consumption in subjects with hypercholesterolemia or arterial hypertension, and healthy controls. METHODS: Subjects with hypercholesterolemia (n=10) or arterial hypertension (n=9), or healthy controls (n=7) were given red wine (250 mL/night) for 15 days. Analyses were performed before and after red wine intake. RESULTS: Red wine significantly increased the plasma levels of HDL-cholesterol in the controls, but not in the other groups. The effects on hemodynamic measurements were mild, non-significantly more prominent in healthy subjects, and exhibited high interindividual variability. Across all participants, mean blood pressure decreased 7 mmHg (p <0.01) and systemic vascular resistance decreased 7 percent (p = 0.05). Heart rate and cardiac output did not significantly change in any group. Red wine enhanced muscle sympathetic fibular nerve activity in hypercholesterolemic and hypertensive patients, but not in controls. At baseline, brachial artery flow-mediated dilation was impaired in patients with hypercholesterolemia and arterial hypertension; red wine restored the dilation in the hypercholesterolemic group but not in the hypertensive group. CONCLUSIONS: Red wine elicits different metabolic, autonomic, and endothelial responses among individuals with hypercholesterolemia or arterial hypertension and healthy controls. Our findings highlight the need to consider patient characteristics when evaluating the response to red wine.

Young people's blood alcohol concentration and the alcohol consumption city law, Brazil / Alcoolemia de jovens e lei contra o consumo de álcool / Alcoholemia de jóvenes y la ley contra consumo de alcohol, Brasil

The paper assesses blood alcohol concentration and risk behaviors for traffic accidents before and after the implementation of a law which prohibits the use of alcoholic beverages on city gas stations. In Porto Alegre, Southern Brazil, young people go out at night and drive to gas station convenience stores to buy alcoholic beverages which are consumed on the premises of parking lots in gas stations. Data were obtained from self-administered questionnaires and breath analyzers in two cross-sectional collections with purposive samples of youngsters in May and July 2006 (n=62, and n=50, respectively). There were no significant differences between the groups before and after the city law was passed. Blood alcohol concentration greater than 0.06 percent was found in 35.5 percent of pre-law group and 40 percent of post-law group (p=0.62). Results point out heavy alcohol use in both groups, which did not change after the law was passed.

No artigo foram analisados a alcoolemia e comportamentos de risco para acidentes de trânsito em jovens antes e depois da implementação de lei proibindo o consumo de bebidas alcoólicas em postos de gasolina. Em Porto Alegre (RS), os jovens costumam sair à noite e dirigir até lojas de conveniência de postos de gasolina para comprar e consumir bebidas alcoólicas nos estacionamentos dentro dos postos. Os dados foram obtidos de questionários autoaplicáveis e bafômetro em duas coletas transversais realizadas com jovens, abordados em maio e julho de 2006 com amostragem intencional (n=62 e n=50, respectivamente). Não houve diferença significativa entre os grupos entrevistados. Alcoolemia >0,06 por cento foi encontrada em 35,5 por cento e 40 por cento dos indivíduos antes e depois da lei, respectivamente (p=0,62). Os resultados apontam o uso pesado de álcool em ambos os grupos, inalterado pela implementação da lei.

En el artículo se analizaron la alcoholemia y los comportamientos de riesgo de accidentes de transito en jóvenes antes y después de la implementación de la ley que prohíbe el consumo de bebidas alcohólicas en puestos de gasolina. En Puerto Alegre (Sur de Brasil), los jóvenes acostumbran salir de noche y conducir hasta las tiendas de conveniencia de puestos de gasolina para comprar y consumir bebidas alcohólicas en los estacionamientos dentro de los puestos. Los datos fueron obtenidos de encuestas auto-aplicables y alcoholímetro en dos colectas transversales realizadas con jóvenes, abordados en mayo y julio de 2006 con muestreo intencional (n=62 y n=50, respectivamente). No hubo diferencia significativa entre los grupos entrevistados. Alcoholemia > 0,06 por ciento fue encontrada en 35,5 por ciento y 40 por ciento de los individuos antes y después de la ley, respectivamente (p=0,62). Los resultados señalan el uso pesado de alcohol en ambos grupos, inalterado por la implementación de la ley.

Occurrence of severe and moderate traumatic brain injury in patients attended in a Brazilian Teaching Hospital: epidemiology and dosage of alcoholemy

This study aimed at observing aspects of epidemiology in order to investigate the use of alcohol in patients older than 18 with severe and moderate traumatic brain injury, which were attended in the Clinics Hospital of the University of Uberlândia. Positive alcoholemy was found in 39.3 percent of the patients. Of the 33 positive exams alcoholemy was found higher than 60 mg/dL in 28 (84.6 percent). There was not significant relation between alcoholemy levels and trauma severity. The major prevalence occurred on Saturdays nights. The most frequent types of external causes were transportation accidents (64.74) followed by accidental falls (17.27 percent) and physical aggression (16.55 percent). 93.9 percent of the patients with positive alcoholemy were men aged 20-29. 24.2 percent of the ones with positive alcoholemy died yet no significant difference was found in the study of the ones with negative alcoholemy (n=51) (p=0.93); RR= 0.9; IC95 percent=0.40-2.08.

Os objetivos deste estudo são investigar aspectos da epidemiologia e identificar o uso de álcool em pacientes com traumatismo craniencefálico grave e moderado em maiores de 18 anos atendidos no Hospital de Clínicas da Universidade Federal de Uberlândia. Encontrou-se alcoolemia positiva em 39,3 por cento dos pacientes. Nos 33 exames positivos, foram observadas alcoolemias superiores a 60 mg/dL em 28 (84,6 por cento). Não houve relação significativa entre os níveis de alcoolemia e a gravidade do trauma. Maior prevalência ocorreu aos sábados, no período noturno. Os tipos de causa externa mais frequentes foram os acidentes de transporte (64,74 por cento), seguidos de quedas acidentais (17,27 por cento) e de agressões (16,55 por cento). Dos pacientes com alcoolemia positiva, 93,9 por cento eram do sexo masculino, com maior prevalência dos 20 aos 29 anos. Dentre aqueles com alcoolemia positiva, 24,2 por cento vieram a falecer, não havendo diferença significante com os pacientes com alcoolemia negativa (n=51) (p=0,93); RR= 0,9; IC95 por cento=0,40-2,08.

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.

Is Seum Homocysteine Level Elevated in Colorectal Tumor? / 대한소화기학회지

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Although it has been known that folate will participate in colorectal carcinogenesis, the relationship between blood folate level and colorectal cancer is less consistent. The blood folate level does not reflect the systemic folate status. By contrast, serum homocysteine has become a sensitive marker for the folate deficiency. We attempted to explain the correlation between folate and colorectal cancer according to the serum homocysteine level. METHODS: We reviewed the clinical records, including alcohol history of 184 patients taking the colonoscopy and measurement of the serum homocysteine level at Health Promotion Center from 2001 to 2002. One hundred fifty-one of 184 were included, excluding 33 patients with previous history of colonic polyp, cerebrovascular, cardiovascular attack and thromboembolism. They were divided into the normal control (n=111) and the adenomatous polyp group (n=40). We had selected the colorectal cancer group (n=50) from the collection list of the tissue and blood bank less than 3 months storage interval. RESULTS: There was no significant difference in the mean serum homocysteine level among three groups. However, in the subjects with high alcohol consumption, there was a significant difference in the mean serum homocysteine between the normal control (n=7) and the adenomatous polyp group (n=9) (10.2 vs 15.1 micromol/L, p<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: There was no correlation of serum homocysteine and colorectal tumor. However, in the subjects with high alcohol consumption, high serum homocysteine might be related to the development of adenomatous polyp.

Oral fructose-induced changes in blood ethanol oxidokinetic data among healthy Nigerians.

Reports on the influence of fructose on blood alcohol clearance have not always been consistent. Notwithstanding, information concerning the Nigerian population is yet to be documented. In this present study, ten consenting adults in apparent sound health, and who did not have any traceable history of alcohol or drug abuse were selected. The subjects were non-smoking Nigerians with an average age of 23.3 years and body weight of 55 kg, and were matched in body frame size and weight. The volunteers were given 0.55g (20%) ethanol/kg body weight as single dose about 4 hours after their breakfast meal, and on another occasion, 0.25g fructose/kg body weight was used to sober the intoxicating effect produced by 0.55g (20%) ethanol/kg body weight. In each case, the blood alcohol level (BAL) was determined every 30 minutes using about 0.5 ml whole blood obtained by venipuncture. The mean peak BAL obtained for the male and female subjects (0.093% vs 0.096%) imply that the women were more intoxicated, though for a shorter time (314 minutes vs 280 minutes). This investigation also demonstrates that the group of women cleared blood alcohol faster (0.026%/hr) and oxidized blood alcohol more rapidly (115.8 mg/kg/hr) than the men, who respectively recorded mean values of 0.021%/hr and 102 mg/kg/hr. However, among the male and female volunteers, oral fructose intake significantly (p<0.05) increased the blood ethanol clearance rate by 66.7 and 92.3%, decreased intoxication time by 41.7 and 40%, reduced peak BAL by 18.3 and 0%, but enhanced blood ethanol oxidation rate by 71.2 and 66.7%, respectively. The oxidokinetic data obtained suggest that Nigerian women may be more susceptible to alcohol's effects than Nigerian men, and oral fructose seems promising in the treatment of Nigerian alcoholics.

Serum antioxidant vitamin levels of people in Khon Kaen, northeastern Thailand.

Three antioxidant vitamins, the alpha- and beta-carotenes as well as vitamin E, were measured in sera of a normal population in Northeastern Thailand using HPLC. The mean serum beta-carotene level of females was significantly higher than the value for males, i.e, 37.55 (95%CI=34.59-40.51) versus 32.97 (95% CI=30.01-35.93) micro/dl. The beta-carotene level tended to decrease as age increased, particularly in the male population. The mean serum beta-carotene level was also higher in females than in males, i.e., 7.08 (95%CI=6.57-7.59) and 6.26 (95% CI=5.77-6.75) micro/dl, respectively. The average serum alpha-tocopherol (Vitamin E) level of the whole population was 1.08 (95% CI=1.04-1.12) micro/dl and did not show age or sex differences. In general, the serum antioxidant vitamins of smokers were lower than those of the non-smokers but a significant difference was observed only for alpha-tocopherol. Alcohol drinking resulted in slightly lower serum beta-carotene values, whereas coffee or tea drinking and betel nut chewing did not cause any differences with these three antioxidant vitamins. However, we report higher in serum beta-carotene levels of people in Ban Fang district than in Chonnabot district. The results from our study give the base line data of serum antioxidant vitamins in a Thai population and also suggest future intensive study on the relationship of dietary intake and cancer prevention.

Effect of alcohol on serum lipids & lipoproteins in male drinkers.

The evaluation of the effect of moderate and high doses of ethanol on the serum levels of triglyceride (TG), total cholesterol (TC), cholesterol content of very low density lipoprotein (VLDL), low density lipoprotein (LDL), high density lipoprotein (HDL), HDL2, HDL3 subfractions and apoproteins: apo-AI and apo-B was undertaken in 45 (25 controls, 10 moderate and 10 high dose drinkers) healthy males. The results of this preliminary study showed a significant rise in total HDL-cholesterol and apo-AI levels of alcoholics of both the groups. Out of the two subfractions, HDL2 appeared to be induced more. Increased levels of atherogenic lipids (TG, VLDL-chol., LDL-chol. and apo-B) were found in high as well as moderate drinkers. Our results suggest that the benefit of alcohol intake need to be weighed carefully against its considerable risks.