RESUMO
Variability in children's allergic sensitization has been detected not only among different countries but also among cities within the same nation but yet different climatic areas. The aim of this study was to investigate the sensitization pattern of asthmatic children who lived in different altitude areas: the two largest Turkish cities, Istanbul (sea level) and Erzurum (high altitude). Five hundred and twelve asthmatic children (6-15 years old) from Istanbul (western Turkey, at sea level) and 609 from Erzurum (eastern Turkey, at an altitude of 1800 m) were included in the study. All participants underwent skin testing with common inhalant allergens, spirometry, total IgE level, and clinical examination. The positive sensitization ratio to aeroallergens in children with asthma living at sea level was statistically higher than that in children living in the high altitude group [p = 0.001, OR (odds ratio) 4.9 (confidence interval (CI) 3.67-6.459)]. However, pollen sensitization in asthmatic children living in high altitudes was significantly higher than that in children living at sea level [p = 0.00, OR 2.6 (CI 1.79-3.87)]. Children with asthma who live at high altitudes are characterized by higher pollen but lower mite sensitization rates than those living at sea level in Turkey. Different climatic conditions and altitudes may affect aeroallergen sensitization in children with asthma.
Assuntos
Alérgenos/imunologia , Asma/imunologia , Adolescente , Altitude , Animais , Asma/sangue , Asma/epidemiologia , Asma/fisiopatologia , Criança , Cidades/epidemiologia , Feminino , Volume Expiratório Forçado , Humanos , Imunoglobulina E/sangue , Imunoglobulina E/imunologia , Masculino , Pólen/imunologia , Pyroglyphidae/imunologia , Testes Cutâneos , Turquia/epidemiologiaRESUMO
BACKGROUND: Aspiration is one of the most feared complications of gastrointestinal decontamination procedures with nonabsorbed polyethylene glycol (PEG) solution and activated charcoal (AC). We aimed to investigate the protective effects of curcumin (CUR) on lung injury in rats induced by aspiration of these agents. METHODS: Experimental rats were divided randomly into 6 groups (n = 7): a saline-aspirated control (group I), sterile saline aspirated with CUR treatment (group II), PEG aspirated (group III), PEG aspirated with CUR treatment (group IV), AC aspirated (group V), and AC aspirated with CUR treatment (group VI). After aspiration, treatment groups II, IV, and VI were given 150 mg/kg CUR intraperitoneally once a day for 7 days. After 7 days, the rats were humanely killed, and both the lungs and serum specimens from all groups were evaluated histopathologically, immunohistochemically, and biochemically. RESULTS: Aspiration of gastrointestinal decontamination agents produced histopathologic changes, elevated levels of malondialdehyde and surfactant protein D, reduced levels of antioxidant enzymes, and increased expression of inflammatory cytokines interleukin-1ß and tumor necrosis factor α. Curcumin treatments effectively attenuated the rats' pulmonary inflammation responses (as shown by reduced alveolar damage), decreased serum malondialdehyde and surfactant protein D levels, and inhibited the expressions of tumor necrosis factor α and interleukin-1ß. CONCLUSIONS: Because of its anti-inflammatory effects, CUR treatment may have preventive effects on lung injuries induced by aspirating gastrointestinal decontamination agents.