Assessment of Cytogenetic Damage and Cholinesterases’ Activity in Workers Occupationally Exposed to Pesticides in Zamora-Jacona, Michoacan, Mexico

Abstract

Pesticides have been considered as potential chemical mutagens; however, little is known about toxic and genotoxic effects during pesticide application in Zamora-Jacona, Michoacan State in Mexico. This study sought to determine DNA damage and cholinesterase activities inhibitions in 54 agricultural workers exposed to complex mixtures of pesticides vs. control group (26 individuals) using Comet assay in peripheral whole blood, micronucleus (MN) test in oral mucosa cells, Cytokinesis-blocked MN assay in lymphocytes (L-CBMNcyt) and measuring AChE and BChE activities in whole blood and plasma samples, respectively. Exposed subjects demonstrated significantly elevated levels of primary (Comet assay: tail intensity, tail length, tail moment, Olive tail moment) and permanent DNA damage (MN assay: in blood/buccal cells; frequencies of nuclear buds, binucleated cells, cells with condensed chromatin, karyorrhexis, pyknosis, and karyolysis). However, inhibition of cholinesterase activities (AChE and BChE) was not observed in the workers. Confounding factors including sex, age, BMI, working exposure period, protection level, smoking habit (cigarettes per day units), alcohol consumption (weekly), medication, were considered in the analysis. These combined techniques demonstrated usefulness in the health hazards risks pesticide exposure assessment and suggested the need for periodic monitoring together with the education and the training of occupational workers for the safe application of potentially harmful pesticides.

Effect of Pesticide Exposure over DNA Damage in Farmers from Los Reyes, Michoacan in Mexico

“…Zeiss microscope connected with Comet Assay IV image analysis system (Instem, London, UK) was used. Additional details of methodology can be found in a previous study [ 9 ].…”

“…They can affect the functioning of various organs and/or systems (nervous, endocrine, reproductive and immune, among others) [ 6 ]. The use of pesticides has also been associated with genetic damage [ 2 , 7 , 8 , 9 ]. Though most biomonitoring and genotoxicity research have been done in advanced nations, they are most relevant to emerging nations.…”

Genetic damage among children living in agricultural areas in the North of Colombia

“…The comet assay has proven to be a sensitive method to detect the genotoxicity of chemical products and complex mixtures, as well as biomarkers in the biomonitoring of human populations exposed to environmental pollutants (Ansoar-Rodríguez et al 2015) and in the population exposed to pesticides (Valencia-Quintana et al 2021). The results from this study reveal that populations of children living near agricultural zones present alterations in their DNA, with these being statistically higher (p < 0.05), compared to the control group accordingly of DICA and %DNA in tail.…”

Assessment of buccal mucosa genotoxicity in insecticide-exposed urban fumigators in Cali, Colombia

“…Epidemiological studies have reported that organophosphates exhibit genotoxic, mutagenic, teratogenic, hepatotoxic, and neurotoxic effects; while pyrethroids display high toxicity in fish, in vitro genotoxicity, potential in vivo carcinogenic effects, endocrine disruptions, and bioaccumulation in human breast milk [2]. Most of the genetic biomonitoring studies in populations exposed to pesticides (fungicides, herbicides, and insecticides) have been performed on agricultural rural workers [4][5][6][7][8][9][10]. Some pesticides often used in agriculture or public health protection programs have shown genotoxic effects.…”