Search resultsAlterations of human immune system functions in relation to environmental contamination, gender and alcohol consumption intensity
Title
Alterations of human immune system functions in relation to environmental contamination, gender and alcohol consumption intensity
Publication type
Journal Article
Year of Publication
2007
Authors
Journal
Central European Journal of Public Health
Volume
15
Issue
1
Pagination
13 - 17
Date published
2007
ISBN
12107778 (ISSN)
Keywords
Adult, age, Age Factors, air pollutant, Air Pollutants, Alcohol Drinking, article, blood, cellular immunity, comparative study, drinking behavior, drug effect, Environmental contamination, Female, gender, human, Humans, immune system, Immunity, Immunity, Cellular, immunoglobulin A, immunoglobulin M, Intensity of alcohol consumption, Lithuania, male, Middle Aged, physiology, sex difference, Sex Factors
Abstract
Environmental contamination and use of alcohol may be a cause of immune system disturbances and various diseases. The aim of this study was to evaluate changes of different alcohol consumption intensity on the immune condition of women and men living in a district contaminated with industrial sittings (Trakai) and in a relatively clean district (Širvintos). The immune system parameters were investigated in 282 Trakai district inhabitants (127 males and 155 females) and in 282 Širvintos district inhabitants (129 males and 153 females). Due to gender and alcohol consumption intensity the immune system functions were evaluated in the following groups: abstainers, light alcohol users, moderate alcohol users and alcohol abusers. Absolute number of CD5+, CD4+, concentration of IgA in blood serum and some other investigated indices of light alcohol users were significantly increased in the male group of Trakai district in comparison with females of this district. However, in the same group of light alcohol drinkers of Širvintos district, males had lower indices (CD5+, CD4 +, CD4+/CD8+, IgM) than females. Immune system parameters of males who were light and moderate alcohol users in Trakai district were stimulated in comparison with the same alcohol consumption groups of males in Širvintos district. Our investigations showed that combination of environmental pollution and different intensity of alcohol consumption cause various alterations of immune system functions in males and females.