title: Smoking induced differences in autonomic responses in military pilot candidates.
abstract: The effects of smoking on autonomic function, the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system, plasma catecholamine and 11-dehydro-thromboxane B2 values were studied in 37 young male military pilot candidates, 19 smokers and 18 non-smokers. There was a higher diastolic blood pressure at rest and higher systolic blood pressure after 5 min during the orthostatic test in smokers. Smokers also had higher diastolic blood pressure levels after exercise in the hand-grip test. Smokers had a lower Valsalva ratio and higher tachycardia ratio in the modified Valsalva manoeuvre, suggesting a degree of autonomic dysfunction. Plasma renin levels at rest and plasma noradrenaline levels after hand-grip test were significantly higher in smokers, implying increased sympathetic activity and enhanced activation of the renin-angiotensin system. Our findings indicate that smoking in fit young men increases sympathetic activity and changes physiological responses to autonomic tests.
authors.affiliation: Wihuri Research Institute, Helsinki, Finland.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Kotamäki
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000337:Aerospace Medicine; D001341:Autonomic Nervous System / Q000502:physiology*; D002395:Catecholamines / Q000097:blood; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008887:Military Medicine; D012084:Renin-Angiotensin System / Q000502:physiology*; D012907:Smoking / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000503:physiopathology*; D013929:Thromboxane B2 / Q000031:analogs & derivatives / Q000097:blood
chemical_list: D002395:Catecholamines; D013929:Thromboxane B2; C049235:11-dehydro-thromboxane B2