The aim of the present study was to evaluate the chronic toxicity of ethanol low blood levels in malnourished rats. Female Wistar rats (220 g) were subjected to either an ad libitum diet (W, well-nourished, n=10) or food restriction (M, malnourished, n=10). Water (WW and MW) or ethanol solution (W5% and M5%) was offered to half of each nutritional group (n=5) as the only fluid source. The treatment was continued for two months. After sacrifice, blood biochemical parameters and macroscopic, histologic and morphometric evaluation of the liver were performed. Results indicated that: Ethanol consumption was higher in malnourished rats and minimized body weight loss in malnourished rats, while it decreased the body weight gain in well-nourished ones. Behavioral ethanol intoxication was more severe in malnourished rats. Malnutrition decreased hematocrit and hemoglobin but, on the other hand, ethanol was a protective factor of that effect (hemoglobin: MW 10.6 mg/dl / ME 13.02 mg/dl, p< 0.05). Ethanol increased the relative liver weight of both well-nourished and malnourished rats. Ethanol intake minimized iron pigment, collagen area and binuclear hepatocyte/ field increased by malnutrition. These data are in accordance with previous reports which showed ethanol as an important source of calories and, even chronically, ethanol still attenuates the effects of malnutrition.

OBJETIVOS: Investigar fatores relacionados ao desenvolvimento e ambiente associados ao abuso de substâncias por adolescentes atendidos em hospital universitário brasileiro. Comparar esses fatores com a literatura científica disponível e sugerir intervenções preventivas para uma política nacional no Brasil. MÉTODOS: Foram avaliados 86 adolescentes na admissão ao serviço através de uma entrevista semiestruturada, aplicada ao guardião do adolescente e incluindo dados sociodemográficos, relacionamento familiar, história da gravidez e perinatal, desenvolvimento psicomotor, educacional, relacionamento social, história de doenças anteriores e familiares, incluindo abuso de drogas. RESULTADOS: A amostra foi predominantemente masculina (90%). Os adolescentes encaminhados pela justiça criminal eram mais velhos do que os encaminhados por outras fontes (16,4 x 15,4 anos,p=0,00). Tiveram repetência escolar 44% dos adolescentes, duas vezes mais do que o relatado nas estatísticas brasileiras para a população geral. Tinha envolvimento com a justiça 40% da amostra, principalmente por tráfico de drogas. Cannabis foi a droga mais prevalente entre os relatos. Viver com ambos os pais foi fator protetor, atrasando a iniciação às drogas em um ano. Violência doméstica foi mais comum entre pais que faziam uso de drogas ilicitas (38,1% x 12,5%, p<0,05). Alcoolismo e dependência química por pais e familiares foram cerca de quatro vezes mais altos do que o relatado por outras amostras brasileiras. Não se encontrou correlação entre os fatores investigados e adesão ao tratamento. CONCLUSÃO: Os dados desse estudo indicam que os programas devem incluir o tratamento dos adultos e educação dos pais e futuros pais. O abandono do tratamento no primeiro mês parece ter causas externas ao adolescente.

OBJECTIVES: To investigate developmental and environmental factors associated to substance misuse in adolescents seen at a university day-hospital in Brazil and to verify the correlations between those factors and adherence to treatment. To compare factors associated to substance misuse in adolescents with the available scientific literature and to suggest specific preventive interventions for a national policy in Brazil. METHODS: Eighty-six adolescent's guardians were evaluated at admission to the service by using a semistructured interview including sociodemographic data, family relationship, perinatal and pregnancy histories, psychomotor and educational development, social relations, history of previous illnesses and family diseases, including drug abuse. RESULTS: The sample was predominantly male (90%). Adolescents referred from the criminal justice were older than those originating from other sources (16.4 x 15.4 years old p=.00). Forty-four percent of adolescents reported school failure, a level which is two times higher than Brazilian statistics. Forty percent of the sample had criminal involvement, mainly drug dealing. Cannabis was the most prevalent reported drug. Living with both parents was protective, delaying the age of initiation by one year. Domestic violence was more frequent among parents with illicit drugs abuse (38.1% x 12.5%, p<.05). Alcoholism and drug addiction in parents and relatives were about four times higher than those reported for the Brazilian population. No correlation was found between the investigated factors and adherence to treatment. CONCLUSION: Our results indicate that the programs must include treatment of adults and education of parents and parents to be. Withdrawal of treatment occurs in the first month, and seems to be related to factors extrinsic to the adolescent.