吸烟、自由基与健康

吸烟有害健康,其中,吸烟过程中产生的大量自由基是损害健康的重要因素。研究吸烟产生的自由基及其损害健康的机理,以及减少乃至祛除吸烟危害、保护人类健康的策略,具有重要的社会意义。从学术角度来看,吸烟产生多种自由基,也是研究自由基的一个好模型。本文综述了吸烟、自由基与健康关系方面的研究进展,特别总结了我们实验室20多年在这方面的研究工作,供读者和同行参考。     

Maternal Smoking and Metabolic Health Biomarkers in Newborns

Background

Maternal smoking has been associated with elevated risk of type 2 diabetes among the offspring in adulthood. The mechanisms underlying this fetal “programming” effect remain unclear. The present study sought to explore whether maternal smoking affects metabolic health biomarkers in fetuses/newborns.

Methods

In a prospective singleton pregnancy cohort (n = 248), we compared metabolic health biomarkers in the newborns of smoking and non-smoking mothers. Outcomes included cord plasma insulin, proinsulin, insulin-like growth factor I (IGF-I), IGF-II, leptin and adiponectin concentrations, glucose-to-insulin ratio (an indicator of insulin sensitivity) and proinsulin-to-insulin ratio (an indicator of β-cell function).

Results

Independent of maternal (glucose tolerance, age, ethnicity, parity, education, body mass index, alcohol use) and infant (sex, gestational age, birth weight z score, mode of delivery, cord blood glucose concentration) characteristics, the newborns of smoking mothers had lower IGF-I concentrations (mean: 6.7 vs. 8.4 nmol/L, adjusted p = 0.006), and marginally higher proinsulin-to-insulin ratios (0.94 vs. 0.72, adjusted p = 0.06) than the newborns of non-smoking mothers. Cord plasma insulin, proinsulin, IGF-II, leptin and adiponectin concentrations and glucose-to-insulin ratios were similar in the newborns of smoking and non-smoking mothers.

Conclusions

Maternal smoking was associated with decreased fetal IGF-I levels, and borderline lower fetal β-cell function. Larger cohort studies are required to confirm the latter finding. The preliminary findings prompt the hypothesis that these early life metabolic changes may be involved in the impact of maternal smoking on future risk of metabolic syndrome related disorders in the offspring.     

Smoking: Its Impact on Urologic Health

Tobacco use remains the single largest preventable cause of disease and premature death in the United States, and smoking is a leading cause of cancer and death from cancer. There is also evidence that smoking is associated with several urologic diseases. Urologists have a unique opportunity to help our patients lead healthy lifestyles, which includes ending their dependence on nicotine and tobacco. This article points out the various urologic conditions associated with smoking and tobacco use with the intention of providing physicians and patients with knowledge and education regarding this connection.Key words: Bladder cancer, Prostate cancer, Kidney cancer, Erectile dysfunction, Interstitial cystitisSmoking remains one of the greatest health threats to our nation, and the death rate among current smokers is two to three times that of nonsmokers.¹ There is also evidence that smoking is associated with several urologic diseases. If we are to be effective healthcare providers, urologists must make a concerted effort to make our patients aware of the connections between tobacco and common urologic diseases. Also, urologists are in the unique position to motivate patients to stop smoking and to enter smoking cessation programs. This article points out the various urologic conditions associated with smoking and tobacco use with the intention of providing physicians and patients with knowledge and education regarding this connection.     

Summary of a Canadian Study of Smoking and Health

The object of this study was to investigate the relationship between residence, occupation and smoking habits, and mortality from chronic diseases, particularly lung cancer. It was a prospective study, initiated by a questionnaire sent to Canadian veteran pension recipients. The study was based on the replies of 78,000 males and 14,000 females, together with data on the deaths occurring among these respondents over a six-year follow-up period—July 1, 1956 to January 30, 1962.The outstanding finding of this study was that cigarette smokers compared to non-smokers had excessive mortality, particularly from heart and circulatory diseases, lung cancer, and bronchitis and emphysema. The mortality ratios for heart and circulatory diseases were elevated even for those who smoked cigarettes less than five years, and remained relatively constant as the duration of smoking increased. The mortality ratios for lung cancer increased markedly as the duration of smoking increased. A small excess in mortality was noted among urban residents. An association between cause of death and occupation was not evident in this study.Findings based on the data on smoking collected in this study were incorporated into the Report of the U.S. Surgeon-General''s Advisory Committee on Smoking and Health.