Ercy Mara Cipulo Ramos

Short terms effects of air pollution from biomass burning in mucociliary clearance of Brazilian sugarcane cutters

Nasal mucociliary system is the first line of defense of the upper airways and may be affected acutely by exposure to particulate matter (PM) from biomass burning. Several epidemiologic studies have demonstrated a consistent association between levels of air pollution from biomass burning with increases in hospitalization for respiratory diseases and mortality. To determine the acute effects of exposure to particulate matter from biomass burning in nasal mucociliary transport by saccharin transit time (STT) test, we studied thirty-three non-smokers and twelve light smokers sugarcane cutters in two periods: pre-harvest season and 4 h after harvest at the first day after biomass burning. Lung function, exhaled carbon monoxide (CO), nasal symptoms questionnaire and mucociliary clearance (MC) were assessed. Exhaled CO was increased in smokers compared to non-smokers but did not change significantly after harvest. In contrast, STT was similar between smokers and non-smokers and decreased significantly after harvest in both groups (p < 0.001). Exposure to PM from biomass burning did not influence nasal symptoms. Our results suggest that acute exposure to particulate matter from sugarcane burned affects mucociliary clearance in smokers and non-smokers workers in the absence of symptoms.

Time-course effects of aerobic physical training in the prevention of cigarette smoke-induced COPD

A previous study by our group showed that regular exercise training (ET) attenuated pulmonary injury in an experimental model of chronic exposure to cigarette smoke (CS) in mice, but the time-course effects of the mechanisms involved in this protection remain poorly understood. We evaluated the temporal effects of regular ET in an experimental model of chronic CS exposure. Male C57BL/6 mice were divided into four groups: Control (sedentary + air), Exercise (aerobic training + air), Smoke (sedentary + smoke), and Smoke + Exercise (aerobic training + smoke). Mice were exposed to CS and ET for 4, 8, or 12 wk. Exercise protected mice exposed to CS from emphysema and reductions in tissue damping and tissue elastance after 12 wk (P < 0.01). The total number of inflammatory cells in the bronchoalveolar lavage increased in the Smoke group, mainly due to the recruitment of macrophages after 4 wk, neutrophils and lymphocytes after 8 wk, and lymphocytes and macrophages after 12 wk (P < 0.01). Exercise attenuated this increase in mice exposed to CS. The protection conferred by exercise was mainly observed after exercise adaptation. Exercise increased IL-6 and IL-10 in the quadriceps and lungs (P < 0.05) after 12 wk. Total antioxidant capacity and SOD was increased and TNF-α and oxidants decreased in lungs of mice exposed to CS after 12 wk (P < 0.05). The protective effects of exercise against lung injury induced by cigarette smoke exposure suggests that anti-inflammatory mediators and antioxidant enzymes play important roles in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease development mainly after the exercise adaptation.NEW & NOTEWORTHY These experiments investigated for the first time the temporal effects of regular moderate exercise training in cigarette smoke-induced chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. We demonstrate that aerobic conditioning had a protective effect in emphysema development induced by cigarette smoke exposure. This effect was most likely secondary to an effect of exercise on oxidant-antioxidant balance and anti-inflammatory mediators.

RELAÇÃO ENTRE CAPACIDADE FUNCIONAL E FUNÇÃO PULMONAR DE IDOSOS RESIDENTES EM UMA INSTITUIÇÃO DE LONGA PERMANÊNCIA

O objetivo foi relacionar a capacidade funcional (CF) e a funcao pulmonar (FP) de idosos institucionalizados. Participaram do estudo 10 idosos com idade igual ou superior a 65 anos, residentes em uma Instituicao de longa permanencia para idosos (ILPI) da cidade de Presidente Prudente-SP. Foram divididos em dois grupos: tabagistas e ex-tabagistas (G1; n=5) e nao tabagistas (G2; n=5). Para avaliar FP realizou-se espirometria. A CF foi avaliada por meio do teste de caminhada de seis minutos (TC6’). Apos o TC6’ apresentaram diferencas significativas as variaveis pressao arterial sistolica (p=0,018), frequencia cardiaca (p=0,006), frequencia respiratoria (p=0,011) e escala de BORG (p=0,005). A CF indicou uma diferenca minima clinicamente importante entre os grupos G1 e G2 (392,6 ± 48,3; 426,0 ± 59,8, respectivamente). Com relacao a FP, o grupo G1 apresentou correlacao positiva entre TC6’ e espirometria: CVF (r=0,90), VEF1 (r=0,90), %FEF25-75 (r=0,90) e PFE (r=0,90). Conclui-se que houve correlacao entre a funcao pulmonar e capacidade funcional de idosos institucionalizados, principalmente com historico tabagistico.

A CONCENTRAÇÃO DE PM10 NA ATMOSFERA INFLUENCIA NA QUALIDADE DE VIDA DE PRATICANTES DE ATIVIDADE FÍSICA EM AMBIENTE ABERTO

A poluição atmosférica é considerada um dos principais problemas de saúde pública devido os seus efeitos nocivos sobre a saúde humana, podendo diminuir a percepção da qualidade de vida de indivíduos expostos. Participaram do estudo 14 voluntários que foram divididos em dois grupos: exposto (7 indivíduos que praticam atividade física em ambiente aberto) e controle (7 indivíduos que trabalham em ambiente fechado). A qualidade de vida foi avaliada por meio do questionário SF-36 versão curta e a poluição atmosférica foi coletada pela estação de monitoramento da FCT/UNESP. Todos os indivíduos foram avaliados no momento basal e após 4 semanas de execução do protocolo. Este estudo foi aprovado pelo Comitê de Ética em Pesquisa sob CAAE no 15238313.0.0000.5402. A percepção de qualidade de vida de indivíduos expostos possui uma tendência de diminuição, que pode variar de acordo com a concentração e o tempo de exposição a poluentes atmosféricos. Palavras-chave: Qualidade de Vida, Poluição Atmosférica, Exercício Físico, Saúde.