Influence of Time and Frequency of Passive Smoking Exposure on Mucociliary Clearance and the Autonomic Nervous System

Abstract

BACKGROUND: There are still gaps in the knowledge regarding the damage to mucociliary and autonomous systems from passive exposure to cigarette smoke. Also, the influence of the frequency and duration of exposure on these systems is still unclear. The objective of this work was to verify the effects of passive smoking on mucociliary clearance and adult autonomic nervous systems and investigate the influence of frequency and time of passive exposure on these systems. METHODS: 44 smokers (smoking group), 38 passive smokers (passive smoking group), and 38 healthy individuals (control group) were evaluated. Evaluation of lung function was performed. To analyze the autonomic nervous system, heart rate variability data were collected. Hemodynamic parameters were collected. Mucociliary clearance was evaluated using the saccharin transit time test. RESULTS: The passive smoking group presented reduced lung function (P ‫؍‬ .02). Systolic blood pressure was significantly greater in the passive smoking group when compared with the smoking group (P ‫؍‬ .02). The passive smoking group presented significantly slower transportability time than the control group. No differences were observed between the groups for the heart rate variability data. There was a significant correlation (P < .05) between the frequency of exposure and diastolic blood pressure, oxygen saturation, and FEF 25-75% . Correlation analyses also demonstrated a reduction of global autonomic activity according to exposure load, in addition to a reduction in vagal activity and an increase in sympathetic activity according to exposure frequency. CONCLU-SIONS: Passive smokers presented worse mucociliary clearance, and there was a correlation between passive exposure load and damage to the hemodynamic response, pulmonary function and autonomic nervous system.

Association of Husband Smoking With Wife's Hypertension Status in Over 5 Million Chinese Females Aged 20 to 49 Years

“…Among these, 4 examined the association among infants or adolescents and 2 were conducted in pregnant women . Another 7 studies conducted in general adults were limited by passive smoking assessment accuracy or small sample size, and none of them assessed the influence of husband smoking on hypertension or BP of their wives . The current study has important public health implications.…”

“…After conducting a systematic review, 13 studies were conducted to investigate the association of passive smoking with hypertension or BP. [18][19][20][25][26][27][28][29][30][31][32][33][34] Among these, 4 examined the association among infants or adolescents [27][28][29]32 and 2 were conducted in pregnant women. 26,31 Another 7 studies conducted in general adults were limited by passive smoking assessment accuracy or small sample size, and none of them assessed the influence of husband smoking on hypertension or BP of their wives.…”

“…26,31 Another 7 studies conducted in general adults were limited by passive smoking assessment accuracy or small sample size, and none of them assessed the influence of husband smoking on hypertension or BP of their wives. [18][19][20]25,30,33,34 The current study has important public health implications. Despite the fact that, in the past few years, multiple cities in China have launched smoke-free laws in public spaces, women are still exposed to an alarming amount of tobacco smoke from passive smoking in private homes.…”

“…The relationship between active smoking and hypertension has been clarified in men and women, but only a few studies explored the effect of passive smoking on hypertension. After conducting a systematic review, 13 studies were conducted to investigate the association of passive smoking with hypertension or BP . Among these, 4 examined the association among infants or adolescents and 2 were conducted in pregnant women .…”

Mucociliary Clearance of Different Respiratory Conditions: A Clinical Study

“…These results confirm previous evidence of studies including smaller samples that MCC efficiency is compromised in these individuals. 24,25 The optimal functioning of the respiratory defense mechanism is dependent on the integrity, number and beating of cilia, and adequate biological properties of mucus. 26 However, cigarette smoke (more specifically the constituent substances -phenol, formaldehyde, acrolein and potassium cyanide) has already been described as an important harmful agent for these two components (cilia and mucus) as they are capable of causing cytological and functional modifications, resulting in the damage of the MCC, with stasis of secretion and predisposition for respiratory infections.…”