Evaluation of the Effects of Agro Pesticides Use on Liver and Kidney Function in Farmers from Buea, Cameroon

Abstract

Agro pesticides are increasingly used worldwide to increase crop production. However, health hazards resulting from human exposure to these chemicals, especially from agricultural areas of developing countries have been a growing concern. The objective of this study was to evaluate the impact of occupational exposure to agro pesticides on the health of farmers in the Buea subdivision, which is one of the major agrarian areas in Cameroon. The study was transversal and involved 90 participants including 58 farmers using pesticides and a reference population of 32 men not involved in occupational use of agro pesticides. The participants were interviewed on agro pesticide use and their health status. Thereafter, blood samples were collected from the participants and used for the assessment of biochemical markers of the liver (alanine aminotransferase and aspartate aminotransferase) and the kidney (creatinine and uric acid) function. Results revealed that farmers frequently used insecticides, fungicides, and herbicides in their farming activities. Farmers reported several acute health symptoms related to pesticides use with the common ones being skin rash, eye irritation, and face burn. When compared to the reference population, the farmers showed significantly elevated (p<0.01) alanine aminotransferase activity. However, other parameters investigated were not affected significantly. These results suggested that farmers were exposed to 3 different classes of agro pesticides, which induced eye and skin affections. Pesticides exposure resulted in alterations of the liver function hence the increased serum alanine aminotransferase activity. Therefore, there is a need to sensitize the farmers on toxicity and liver alteration potential of agro pesticides and the importance of appropriate protective equipment that may minimize exposure.

Toxicopathological and Molecular Studies on Imidacloprid and Hexaflumuron-induced Hepatorenal Toxicity in Rats.

“…The observable hepatocellular pathological alterations were con rmed by measuring the hepatocellular integrity through the determination of two biochemical markers, serum ALT and AST. Our results showed a signi cant elevation in both biochemical hepatic markers indicating a defect in the permeability of cell membrane and cellular necrosis (Manfo et al, 2020). It is reported that IC and HFM exposure led to a signi cant impairment in the hepatic parameters (Toor et al, 2012).…”

Adverse Health Effects in Women Farmers Indirectly Exposed to Pesticides

“…Thus, oxidative stress has been proposed as a mechanism linking exposure to pesticides to increased risk for the development of diseases such as cancer, renal and neurodegenerative diseases [ 11 , 12 , 13 ] and reproductive disorders [ 14 , 15 , 16 ]. Further, alterations in the hematological parameters such as decrease size of red blood cells, higher platelets and white blood cell (WBC) counts and increased activities of gamma-glutamyltransferase (GGT), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), bilirubin has been shown to be linked with hepatic cell damage in human occupationally exposed to the pesticide [ 4 , 17 , 18 ]. Conversely, nephrotoxic changes as evidenced by elevated levels of plasma urea, uric acids and creatinine in workers occupationally exposed to pesticides have also been reported [ 2 , 19 ].…”

Pterocarpus mildbraedii(Harms) extract resolves propanil‐induced hepatic injury via repression of inflammatory stress responses in Wistar rats

“…The role of pesticides in the etiology of liver ailments has been well‐documented (Karami‐Mohajeri et al., 2017; Manfo et al., 2020). For example, in animal studies, rats exposed to the copper‐based fungicides, fipronil, and paraquat dichloride presented with oxidative damage and liver injury (Gad El‐Hak & Mobarak, 2018; Kartheek & David, 2018; Ujowundu et al., 2018).…”