Betel chewing and arecoline affects eotaxin-1, asthma and lung function.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Betel nut is commonly used in many countries. Despite evidence suggesting an association with asthma, few studies have investigated the connection between betel nut use and asthma; thus, the underlying mechanism for the association with asthma is also unclear. The aim of this study was to investigate the association between betel chewing and asthma as well as the associations of plasma arecoline (a biomarker for exposure) and eotaxin-1 (a potential mediator) with asthma and lung function.

Methods

We recruited 600 hospital-based asthmatic patients and 1200 age- and gender-matched community controls in southern Taiwan. To clarify the mechanism of action for eotaxin-1 in the association between betel chewing and asthma, we also designed an in vitro experiment to stud

SUBMITTER: Wang TN 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3962362 | biostudies-literature | 2014

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature