Correlations between ventilatory function tests, arterid blood gases and blood levels of some radioactive isotopes in asymptomatic and symptomatic cigarette smokers

ABSTRACT

In this work, three groups of subjects were studied. The first was control group [8 cases], the second was asymptomatic cigarette smokers [30 cases] and the third was symptomatic cigarette smokers [36 cases] that was in turn divided into three equal subgroups asthma, COPD and cancer lung. All groups were examined for ventilatory function tests [FVC, FEV1 -FEV1% and FEF 25-75%], arterial blood gases, [Pa O2 and PaCO2, pH] and blood levels of lead 212, lead214, and Cesium 137. There was a significant decrease in all ventilalory function tests, PaO 2and increase PaCO2 in symptomatic group in relation to control and asymptomatic groups. The pH of blood showed no change. The study showed a significant increase in the levels of lead 212, lead214 and cesium137 in both smokers groups in relation to control. FEV1 and FEF 25-75%, lead212, lead 214 and cesium 137 showed significant differences between the three studied groups. Also there was a significant negative correlation between the blood lead 212 and the FEV1% in the symptomatic cigarette smokers group. These changes were related to the toxic contents of cigarette leaves and wrappings including the high content of the previously estimated radioisotopes