Environmental and Nutritional diseases (Bianchi) Flashcards
The definition of Environmental disease?
conditions caused by exposure to chemical or physical agents in the ambient,
workplace, and personal environment, including diseases of nutritional origin
The major environmental determinants?
- air pollutants
- food and water (toxic agents)
- occupational exposure
and personal habits should be considered
Chemicals or drugs that induce the CYP activity?
- Drugs
- Smoking
- alcohol
- hormones
what is Xenobiotic?
A xenobiotic is a chemical substance found within an organism that is not naturally produced or expected to be present within the organism
Chemicals or drugs that inhibit the CYP activity?
Azoles: ketoconazole, fluconazole
Antibiotics: sulfonamides, metronidazole, ciprofloxacin, chloramphenicol, macrolides, isoniazid
Cimetidine
Omeprazole
Sodium valproate
Grapefruit
what is Cytochrome p450?
The cytochrome P450 (CYP) enzymes are membrane-bound hemoproteins that play a pivotal role in the detoxification of xenobiotics, cellular metabolism and homeostasis.
where is cytochrome 450 found
Endoplasmic reticulum and mitochondria of liver cells
Pollutants, according to their concentration into the
atmosphere, can be classified as follows:
Macropollutants: substances whose concentrations in the atmosphere
are in the order of mg/m3 or µg/m3
such as, for example CO, CO2
, NO,
NO2
, SO2
, O3
, particulate matter
Micropollutants: substances whose concentrations in the atmosphere
are of the order of ng/m3
such as polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons and
dioxins.
Depending on their origin, pollutants can be classified into:
Primary (toxic) SO2 and HF
Secondary (derive from primary ones) O3, H2SO4 and HNO3
What is Ozone (O3)?
- a colorless unstable toxic gas with a pungent odor and powerful oxidizing
properties - formed from oxygen by electrical discharges or ultraviolet light, degrades
either organic or inorganic material - it differs from normal oxygen (O2) in having three atoms in its molecule (O3)
Reduction of the Ozone layer is associated with the incidence of ?
Skin cancer
what is Atmospheric dust?
a mixture of solid and liquid particles which
vary in size, composition and origin.
Atmospheric dust is defined in various ways:
- TSD (total suspended dust)
- PM (Particulate Matter)
the particles with the diameter greater than 10µm tend to stop in _______respiratory tract
upper respiratory tract
the particles smaller than 10µm can reach ___________________
the trachea, bronchi and consequently the pulmonary alveoli.
what is the pathogenesis of the pneumoconiosis?
Pathogenesis:
- silica, asbestos, and beryllium are the most reactive
- the smaller particles (1-5μm) get lodged at the bifurcation of the distal airways
- macrophages accumulate and engulf the trapped particulates
- activated macrophages (frustrated phagocytosis) release a number of inflammatory
mediators (triggering of chronic inflammation and fibroblast proliferation
Inhalation of mineral dusts causes chronic “non-neoplastic” lung diseases
known as______?
PNEUMOCONIOSIS
What is asbestos?
Asbestos is a naturally occurring material that is present in soil and rocks
What is asbestosis?
Asbestosis is long-term inflammation and scarring of the lungs due to asbestos fibers inhaled.
Effects of CO on health?
Carbon monoxide primarily causes adverse effects by combining with
hemoglobin to form carboxyhemoglobin, it is 240 times more reactive than O2.
Characteristics of NO?
- an important intermediate in industrial chemistry
- nitric oxide forms in combustion systems and can be generated by
lightning in thunderstorms - It is a key vertebrate biological messenger, playing a role in a variety of
biological processes
role of NO in physiology?
Vasodilation, neurotransmission, inflammation, apoptosis, and tumor growth
Effects of NO on human health?
Irritant for the respiratory system because of the transformation
to HNO3, it causes pulmonary edema
what is pulmonary edema?
Pulmonary edema is a condition in which the lungs fill with fluid, also known as lung congestion, lung water, and pulmonary congestion
what is Sulfur dioxide SO2 ?
- It is a toxic gas responsible for the smell of burnt matches.
- It is released naturally by volcanic activity and is produced as a byproduct of copper extraction and the burning of sulfur-bearing fossil
fuels.
Effects of SO2 on human health?
In the respiratory tract encounters O2 and H2O to form H2SO4 and causes chronic bronchitis, pulmonary emphysema, cancer
chronic bronchitis?
Chronic bronchitis is an inflammation of the airways (trachea, bronchi or bronchioles) in your lungs. People with chronic bronchitis have symptoms like a cough and shortness of breath most days of the month, three months out of the year, for two years or longer.
pulmonary emphysema?
Emphysema is any air-filled enlargement in the body’s tissues. Most commonly emphysema refers to the permanent enlargement of air spaces (alveoli) in the lungs, and is also known as pulmonary emphysema.
Where is CCl4 used?
a liquid used in refrigeration mixtures of refrigerators, in fire
extinguishers, stain removers, food degreasing solutions, it is
inhaled (classified as a volatile organic compound (VOC))and
accumulates in the liver
Effects of CCl4 on health?
Medium term exposure: hepatic steatosis, hepatic necrosis
Long term exposure: Hepatic tumor
What is Vinyl chloride?
- It is the main component of PVC, and therefore of all plastics
- Inhaled (gas with a sweet odor) absorbed through the skin
Effects of Vinyl Chloride on human health?
Short-term toxic action:
disorders at the level of the CNS, liver, respiratory system, skeletal system
Long-term effects:
Somatic cells:
skin, lung, bone, liver
tumors
Germ cells:
congenital malformations in
the offspring of exposed
individuals
Effects of Aliphatic compounds on human health?
- Irritant and phlogogenic for skin and mucous layers
- Toxic action at the level of the CNS, liver and respiratory system
What are the uses of Homocyclic compounds?
Benzene and derivatives (C6H6)
massively used in printers, print shops, lithographs
What are the effects of Homocyclic compounds on human health?
Short-term toxic action:
Irritant, respiratory failure, mood
disorders
Long-term effects:
Bone marrow failure Germ cells
chromosomic aberration
Increased risk of leukemia
in the offspring
- anemia
- thrombocytopenia
- leukopenia
- leukemia
Where are Homocyclic compounds are used?
Benzopyrene, - Used in road paving, incomplete combustion of organic matter, residues
from cooked-meat with open flames
- Inhaled and/or absorbed by contact from the skin, it accumulates in the
liver where it is processed for its elimination
Effects of Homocyclic compounds
Short-term toxic action:
-pulmonary emphysema
-chronic bronchitis
-asthma
Long-term effects
Cancerogenic in lung, liver and
skin
What are aromatic amines used for?
- Used for the preparation of paints, present in inks used in painting houses. It is
inhaled and/or absorbed by contact with the skin - in the simplest form is toxic but non-carcinogenic
- carcinogens are some of its derivatives formed by condensation and provided with
at least two aromatic rings (such as methilenediamine) or from other aromatic
amines (e.g. naphtylamine) .
Effects of aromatic amines on human health?
- Acute toxicity (lungs, skin,…)
- Bladder cancer
What is Formaldehyde used for?
- it is an intermediate in the oxidation (or combustion) of methane, as
well as of other carbon compounds, e.g. in forest fires, automobile
exhaust, and tobacco smoke - It was used as bactericide and preservative
Effects of Formaldehyde on human health?
it is a recognized carcinogen for humans
- Nasal-pharyngeal tumor, nasal-sinus tumor, blood and lymphatic cancers
- Irritating to eyes, nose and throat
- Skin sensitizer
- Also associated with asthma and bronchitis.
What are heavy metals?
Heavy metals are extremely toxic for the environment because they are
bioaccumulated and cause biomagnification phenomena.
(tissue concentrations rise as you move up the food chain)
Sources of heavy metal contamination?
- Various industrial processes
- Thermoelectric power plants
- Engine exhaust
- Use of fertilizers
- Exploitation and subsequent disposal of mines
- Derived from urban waste burning (incinerators)
Toxicity of heavy metals?
-accumulated in cells through the interactions with
biomolecules (proteins (enzymes) and nucleic acids)
-strong affinity of the metal cation for the -SH groups of
the amino acid cysteine with the formation of a metal-sulfur complex that may compromise enzymatic
functionality
-native conformation modification (misfolding)
-blocking of functional sites
HM such as cadmium, lead, chrome, mercury and arsenic are pollutants often
present in the air due to _____________
industrial activity
Lead effects on human health?
Lead (Pb2+)
- Lead is a readily absorbed metal that binds to sulfhydryl groups in proteins and
interferes with calcium metabolism, effects that cause hematologic, skeletal,
neurologic, gastrointestinal, and renal toxicities
- Lead exposure may occur through contaminated air, food, and water
- many sources of lead in the environment such as from mining, foundries,
batteries, and spray painting that constitute occupational hazards
The intoxication resulting from a high exposure to lead is called
____________
Saturnism
Mercury’s effects on health
- Like lead, mercury also binds to the sulfhydryl groups of some proteins with high
affinity, causing damage to the CNS and the kidney - It is mainly toxic as methylmercury; in this form it is accumulated in fish.
- Mercury has had many uses throughout history, for example, as a pigment in
cave paintings, as cosmetic, as remedy for syphilis, and a component of diuretics
What causes the Minamata disease(Cerebral palsy, deafness,
blindness, mental retardation, and major CNS defects in infants exposed in utero.
)?
Mercury intoxication by eating contaminated fish
Sources of Arsenic?
- Arsenic salts interfere with several aspects of cellular metabolism
- It is found naturally in soil and water and is used in products such as wood
preservers and herbicides and other agricultural products - It may be released into the environment from mines and smelting industries
- Arsenic trioxide is used to treat acute promyelocytic leukemia
Effects of Arsenic on human health?
- Acute gastrointestinal, cardiovascular, and CNS toxicities that are often fatal
- Interferes with Oxidative Phosphorylation since trivalent arsenic can replace
the phosphates in ATP
What are Organochlorinated compounds?
- Most organochlorines are estrogen mimetic or endocrine-disrupting agents.
- Once these compounds have penetrated the environment, they are degraded
with extreme difficulty, with consequent accumulation
Dioxin effects on health?
- Human exposure to dioxins occurs almost exclusively through food intake, especially
meat, fish and dairy products. - In cases of exposure of subjects to particularly high concentrations of dioxins
- reduced fertility
- development and immune deficiency
- tumors
It sems to be associated to the onset of FOLLICULITIS
Chloracne: Acne, cyst formation, hyperpigmentation and hyperkeratosis around the face
and behind the ears
Soft tissue damage is divided into?
Cutaneous or superficial lesions and Deep lesions to organ tissue
What is abrasion?
superficial and limited lesion affecting the epithelial lining of
the skin or mucous membranes, generally due to mild traumatic causes.
What is Laceration?
Rupture of a mucous or skin covering, of such intensity as
to leave the underlying connective tissue exposed.
What is Engraving?
shallow or deep, clean and thin cut, made with a sharp or
pointed instrument.
what is contusion?
injury to the soft parts of the organism due to traumatic
action of a body, without discontinuity of the skin or mucous covering
(bruised wound) and with extravasation of blood (ecchymosis or, for
greater damage, hematoma)
what is a simple fracture?
interruption of bone continuity without skin damage or dislocation of the bone
heads
what is a Comminuted fracture
bone fractured in several parts
what is a Displaced fracture?
dislocation of the bone stumps
What symptoms can head trauma cause?
- physical
- cognitive
- social
- Emotional/behavioral
What is an exposed fracture?
one or more bone fragments have lacerated the tissues, to the point of
perforating the skin
The limit temperature tolerated without burning effects on the
skin surface is below ___?
45
What is a first degree burn?
Epidermis. Painful, doesnt blister, doesnt scar
What is a second degree burn?
Epidermis and superficial portion of the dermis. Blisters, scars, risk of infection, painful.
What is a third degree burn?
subcutaneous and muscle involvement . Dry, insensitive to light touch, scars, skin grafting required, high risk of infection.
What is a fourth degree burn?
involves muscles and bones, loss of the burned part.
