Efectos biológicos protectores del ejercicio en modelos experimentales de tabaquismo: Más allá de la cesación y la abstinencia

Abstract

Smoking is considered one of the main causes of morbidity and mortality in the general population. In Chile, the prevalence of smoking reaches 36.7% in men and 28.5% in women. In this context, several pharmacological and non-pharmacological strategies have been proposed to promote the cessation of their use, as well as to counteract the comorbidities associated with prolonged smoking. Among them, physical exercise has been traditionally considered, due to its impact on the promotion of cessation of smoking, as well as its effects in reducing the clinical manifestations of withdrawal syndrome. However, studies conducted in animal models during the last 10 years have provided strong data to support the hypothesis that regular practice of physical exercise would also be effective in preventing or modulating oxidative stress and the inflammatory response  induced by tobacco, preventing the organic deterioration of exposed physiological systems. The objective of this review is to discuss the published
evidence regarding the biological effects induced by physical exercise and its impact on the reversion of the pathophysiological mechanisms underlying the comorbidities associated with smoking, focusing the analysis on the mechanisms of oxidative stress and inflammatory response of the respiratory and cardiovascular system.