Physiological changes in urinary and salivary electrolytes due to physical activity in warm environments

Changes in heart rate; oral temperature; mean skin temperature; urinary pH, volume, sodium, potassium, chloride, urea and creatinine; salivary pH, sodium, potassium and urea; expired air and oxygen consumption have been monitored in young men doing ( 1) exercise on an ergometer for 4 min at 10C, 20C, 30C and 40C dry bulb 50% rh at 120-320 W;· (2) 20 min at 30C dry bulb at 50% rh, 60% rh, and 85% rh at 120W, 145W and 170W; and (3) 60 min at 20C, 30C and 40C dry bulb and 50% rh at 170w. Changes in work rate, environmental temperature, relative humidity and exposure time were found to correlate well with the urinary and salivary changes and in most cases changes in both work rate and ambient temperature produced simple summation effects. The increase in salivary components correlated well with the decrease in urinary components. Salivary sodium, potassium and Na+/K+ ratio increased significantly when work intensity, exposure time and environmental temperature were increased. Salivary urea correlates significantly with increased exposure time. The elevated values for salivary components may be explained on the basis of volatilization caused by forced ventilation during exercise; increased penetration of plasma components into saliva; increased water reabsorption, decreased sodium reabsorption, and increased potassium secretion in the ductile system of the salivary glands due to increased sympathetic activity. The results show that changes in saliva give a valid indication of the body's response to work and environmental stress and suggest that saliva could be used to study the combined effects of work and heat in places where it is impracticable to obtain samples of blood or urine

Monitoring histological changes in oral mucosa using AgNORs as biomarkers for oxygenic stress in smokers and COPD patients

Background: It is well known that tobacco smoke causes cellular proliferation and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), but changes in buccal mucosa cells in smokers and COPD patients remains unknown. Aims: The aim of this study is twofold: (i) to assess the effect of smoking on cellular proliferative activity of buccal mucosa in healthy smokers and in smoking COPD patients (ii) to detect early cellular proliferative activity in buccal mucosa. Our hypothesis is that tobacco smoking induces changes in buccal mucosa cells that we can detect using AgNOR analysis. Methods: 879 male subjects; non-smokers (controls), smokers and COPD patients were studied. Cytogenic damage was defined using the argyrophilic nucleolar organiser regions (AgNOR). Buccal mucosa cells were obtained from swabs and brushing. The respiratory symptoms were assessed by St. George’s questionnaire and lung function tests were measured by Vitalograph spirometer. Statistical analysis using ANOVA and discriminant analysis (classification)was used to determine differences between the three groups, regression models were built on the lung function data. Results: The AgNOR count, nuclear area, nuclear volume, and percentage of cells with 5 or more AgNORs, were significantly higher in smokers than non–smokers (5.20 vs 3.27, 74.66 vs 55.65, 462.67 vs 304.01, 73.93% vs 14.75%, respectively). For COPD patients, the values were 6.77, 110.42, 813.26, 96.97%, respectively.Respiratory symptoms were higher in smokers and COPD patients than non- smokers. There was significant relationship between respiratory symptoms and AgNORs count (P≤ 0.001). There was positive association between cigarette smoking and enhanced cellular activity in oral mucosa. Pack years of smoking is significantly associated with cellular abnormality in smokers and COPD patients. Conclusions: Strong correlations were found between AgNORs parameters and respiratory symptoms, pulmonary function tests and pack years. Keywords: COPD, buccal mucosa, AgNOR staining, discriminant analysis

Effects of Traffic Air Pollution on Respiratory Health and Allergies in Schoolchildren

The objective of the study is to investigate gender differences in the respiratory effects of air pollution in schoolchildren. We studied 1397 schoolchildren from two locations in Egypt; Cairo city with high level of air pollution and Shbeen Al Koom in the Delta with low level of air pollution. Lung function testing was done by the Vitalograph spirometer. The Arabic version of ISAAC questionnaire was used (the International Study of Asthma and Allergies in Childhood). Air pollution measurements were collected from the Government sites in both locations. Boys in Shbeen Al Koom had significantly (p< 0.05) higher lung function tests than boys in Cairo. There was no significant differences in lung function tests between girls in both locations. Children in Cairo had significantly (p< 0.01) higher prevalence rates of asthma, rhinitis and eczema than children in Shbeen Al Koom. The prevalence rates of ever rhinitis were 6% and 3% higher in boys and girls in Cairo compared with Shbeen Al Koom, respectively. Children who developed rash less than 2 years of age were 2% and 5% higher in boys and girls in Cairo compared with Shbeen Al Koom, respectively. The prevalence of other allergic symptoms were 2-3% and 3-5% higher in boys and girls in Cairo compared with Shbeen Al Koom, respectively. The present study shows the adverse respiratory effects of exposure to traffic air pollution on schoolchildren showing gender difference. The study will help to implement strategic health intervention programmes to improve the respiratory health of children