Neurochemical and Behavioral Dysfunctions in Pesticide Exposed Farm Workers: A Clinical Outcome

Abstract

The problem of pesticides is not new and its exposure to human due to indiscriminate use is largely associated with the health related problems including neurotoxicological alterations. High levels of pesticide residues and their metabolites in the dietary constituents, food materials, maternal blood, cord blood, placenta breast milk have been reported and linked to alterations in birth weight, crown heel length, head circumference, mid-arm circumference and ponderal index of the neonates. Epidemiological studies have suggested that exposure of pesticide to human could be a significant risk factor for neurological disorders, including Parkinson's disease, Alzheimer's disease and multiple sclerosis. Cholinergic and non-cholinergic dysfunctions in pesticide exposed population, especially in children have also been frequently reported in recent years. Developmental neurotoxicity is another concern in the area where pregnant are more prone towards its exposure and which results in the abnormalities in the fetus. In view of the increasing risk of human health through pesticide exposure, the present review has been focused on the studies pertaining to pesticide induced neurochemical alterations and associated behavioral abnormalities in farm workers which could establish a possible link between the its exposure and associated health hazards.

Cholinesterase inhibition and its association with hematological, biochemical and oxidative stress markers in chronic pesticide exposed agriculture workers

“…Limited number of studies were available to report the pesticide‐induced free radical generation associated with toxicity and other neurobehavioral dysfunctions such as dyslipidemia, hypertension and sleep apnea transformed into neurodegenerative and neurobehavioral outcomes including Parkinson's and Alzheimer's disease in agriculture workers . An increase in the level of lipid peroxidation and decrease in the activity of catalase, GSH and SOD in pesticide‐exposed agriculture workers as observed in the present study suggesting the increased oxidative stress due to pesticide toxicity in exposed agriculture workers and the findings are consistent with the earlier studies .…”

“…Oxidative stress plays a critical role in the pathogenesis of neurological, endocrinological and other metabolic dysfunctions through damaging the antioxidant defenses . Pesticides induced oxidative stress has been found to be linked with altered levels of detoxification enzymes, including carboxylesterase and cytochrome P450 pathways, generation of redox‐active pesticide metabolites and mitochondrial impairment . These interventions trigger translational deficits or modification in hematological, nervous system, endocrine and reproductive systems .…”

“…Pesticides induced oxidative stress has been found to be linked with altered levels of detoxification enzymes, including carboxylesterase and cytochrome P450 pathways, generation of redox‐active pesticide metabolites and mitochondrial impairment . These interventions trigger translational deficits or modification in hematological, nervous system, endocrine and reproductive systems . Studies were also reported to linked with oxidative stress and molecular manifestations in different brain regions and blood showing inhibition of erythrocyte acetylcholinesterase (AChE) and butyrylcholinesterase (BChE) level …”

Consequences of Herbicide Use in Rural Environments and Their Effect on Agricultural Workers

“…People who have been exposed to herbicides occupationally, or by eating foods or liquids containing herbicide residue, or for that matter inhaled herbicidecontaminated air, have experience a broad range of chronic health effects, including impaired neurobehavioral function (e.g., cognitive and behavioral disorders), Alzheimer's and Parkinson's diseases, hormone disruption, asthma, allergies, hypersensitivity, obesity, diabetes, hepatic lesions, kidney failure, multiple sclerosis, and cancer [3,[23][24][25].…”

“…Pesticide poisoning and suicides are very high in developing countries and rural environments. Suicides influenced by pesticides have been largely reported among agricultural workers; evidence exists that indicates that pesticides induce such behavior [25,27]. Some organophosphates, for example, paraquat and glyphosate, inhibit the cholinesterase activity in the nervous system, whereby this irreversible inhibition can produce cerebral damage such that cholinergic neurons are injured and can be responsible for neuropsychiatric and neurobehavioral disorders, including memory, cognitive, mental, emotional, motor, and sensory deficits [28].…”