Increased acetylcholine esterase activity produced by the administration of an aqueous extract of the seed kernel of Thevetia peruviana and its role on acute and subchronic intoxication in mice.

BACKGROUND: The real mechanism for Thevetia peruviana poisoning remains unclear. Cholinergic activity is important for cardiac function regulation, however, the effect of T. peruviana on cholinergic activity is not well-known. OBJECTIVE: To study the effect of the acute administration of an aqueous extract of the seed kernel of T. peruviana on the acetylcholine esterase (AChE) activity in CD1 mice as well its implications in the sub-chronic toxicity of the extract. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A dose of 100 mg/kg of the extract was administered to CD1 mice and after 7 days, serum was obtained for ceruloplasmin (CP) quantitation and liver function tests. Another group of mice received a 50 mg/kg dose of the extract 3 times within 1 h time interval and AChE activity was determined for those animals. Heart tissue histological preparation was obtained from a group of mice that received a daily 50 mg/kg dose of the extract by a 30-days period. RESULTS: CP levels for the treated group were higher than those for the control group (Student's t-test, P ≤ 0.001). AChE activity in the treated group was significantly higher than the control group (Tukey test, control vs. T. peruviana, P ≤ 0.001). Heart tissue histological preparations showed leukocyte infiltrates and necrotic areas, consistent with infarcts. CONCLUSION: The increased levels of AChE and the hearth tissue infiltrative lesions induced by the aqueous seed kernel extract of T. peruviana explains in part the poisoning caused by this plant, which can be related to an inflammatory process.

[Silicosis and industrial bronchitis by exposure to silica powders and cement].

OBJECTIVE: to identify the association between the exposure of workers to inorganic dust in a quarry and a cement factory and pulmonary diseases. METHODS: a transverse study on data from 32 quarry workers (QWs) and 57 cement production line workers (CFWs) to inorganic-dust exposure was performed. Pulmonary function tests and chest X ray were done in both groups. RESULTS: there were differences between QWs and the CFWs; QWs were younger, shorter and thinner. The number of sick individuals might be considered significantly different, showing a smaller proportion on the cement production line. The quarry workers have been on the company for a shorter period of time and, in the end, they present more serious pulmonary problems with an average of 3 years working. CONCLUSIONS: the amount of free-silica that is managed on the quarry affects the workers in some way, even when literature states that the evolution of industrial bronchitis and silicosis have a period development of approximately 10 years.

Objetivo: asociar la exposición a polvos inorgánicos en trabajadores de una cantera y una cementera y la generación de alteraciones pulmonares. Métodos: estudio transversal con 32 trabajadores expuestos a polvos inorgánicos en una cantera y 57 en una cementera. Se les realizaron pruebas de función respiratoria y telerradiografías de tórax. Se midieron polvos totales. Resultados: existieron diferencias demográficas significativas entre las dos líneas de producción: los empleados de la cantera fueron más jóvenes, menos altos y ligeramente más delgados. La proporción de enfermos fue significativamente diferente entre las dos áreas: en la cementera fue menor que en la cantera. Aun cuando los trabajadores de la cantera tuvieron una antigüedad menor, presentaron problemas pulmonares más graves. Conclusiones: la cantidad de sílice libre que se maneja en la cantera afecta gravemente la salud de los trabajadores, ya que con un promedio de tres años de antigüedad laboral presentaban silicosis. Por ello, deben establecerse mejores programas de higiene industrial para el control de los polvos.