Gene increases risk of developing asthma from second hand smoke
A study of 3,000 German schoolchildren revealed that those with a deficiency in enzymes known as glutathione S transferases (GSTs) were more likely to have asthma symptoms when exposed to second-hand smoke than those without this genetic characteristic.
GSTs are enzymes that help to detoxify second-hand tobacco smoke. The children in this study were divided into groups of those with effective and less effective GSTs, as determined by their genes. The researchers then studied the effects of their exposure to smoking - both in their homes, and when they were in the womb.
They found that having deficient GSTs alone did not affect whether children had asthma symptoms. However, when this group of children were exposed to second-hand smoke they were much more likely to experience respiratory problems such as wheezing.
Those with this particular type of GST whose parents smoked were five times more likely to have asthma, and five times more likely to wheeze.
Children whose mothers had smoked during their pregnancies had worse lung function than those with non-smoking mothers.
'While environmental tobacco smoke exposure is a serious health hazard for children, some are even more susceptible to developing asthma and severe asthma symptoms when exposed to passive smoking,' said Dr Michael Kabesch, who led the study at the Children's University Hospital in Munich.
This research reinforces previous findings that have shown how a child's genes may predispose them to developing asthma from second-hand smoke.
The study also underlines the importance of protecting children from second-hand smoke to prevent them from developing the condition - a goal that a ban on public smoking would go some way towards achieving.
'The enzyme GST has been linked to childhood asthma and allergies in previous studies,' said Matthew Hallsworth, Asthma UK's Research Manager. 'This new research shows that defects in the gene for this enzyme may be associated with the development of asthma and wheezing in children when exposed to second-hand smoke or maternal smoking during pregnancy.
'Important findings such as these should help us to begin to unravel the complex jigsaw of interactions between our genes and factors in the environment that can lead to the development of asthma.'
For advice and information on asthma, call the Asthma UK Adviceline (08457 01 02 03) or email an asthma nurse specialist.
http://www.asthma.org.uk
Gene creºte riscul de a dezvolta astm de la fumul de mâna a doua - Gene increases risk of developing asthma from second hand smoke - articole medicale engleza - startsanatate