Oxidative stress, hematological and biochemical alterations in farmers exposed to pesticides

Abstract

In this study, a cohort of farmers from the Mateur region in the North of Tunisia, were interviewed and examined for the biochemical effects of pesticides. We studied their haematological profile, lipid parameters, serum markers of nephrotoxicity and hepatotoxicity. We also evaluated the activities of Butyrylcholinesterase (BChE), Acetylcholinesterase (AChE) and thiolactonase-paroxonase (PON). Moreover, lipid peroxidation and activities of antioxidant enzymes superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT) were determined. The duration of pesticide use and the farmers' age were considered in the analysis. Our results revealed significant differences in some haematological parameters, in liver and kidney functions, in the lipidic status of the pesticide-exposed group. We also reported an increase in the index of incidence of cardiovascular risk in farmer populations. A significant decrease in AChE, BChE and PON levels was found among farmers. Lipid peroxidation, however, increased. The activities of SOD and CAT were remarkably elevated in farmer populations. There was a significant relation between changes in biological markers, the duration of pesticide use and the farmers' age. This study indicates that a long-term exposure to pesticides may play an important role in the development of vascular diseases via metabolic disorders of lipoproteins, lipid peroxidation and oxidative stress, inhibition of BChE and decrease in thiolactonase-PON levels.

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

“…were also reported. The inhibited AChE and BChE activity associated with cholinergic dysfunctions including adverse neurobehavioral outcomes in pesticide‐exposed workers has been determined in some studies . In the present study, the activity of AChE is found to be significantly decreased in pesticide‐exposed agriculture workers consistent with the previous findings …”

“…Besides, other health effects including headache, nausea, vomiting, pupillary constriction, tearing, salivation, and so forth, have also been frequently reported . 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), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), bilirubin has been shown to be linked with hepatic cell damage in human occupationally exposed to the pesticide . 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 …”

“…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 . 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 …”

The use of self-reported symptoms as a proxy for acute organophosphate poisoning after exposure to chlorpyrifos 50% plus cypermethrin 5% among Nepali farmers: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, crossover study

“…Thus, if the farmers spray with WHO Class I pesticides, or spray for longer than the 2 h that are considered to reflect farmers’ usual spraying time [27, 34, 36], while applying unsafe work practices, a considerable risk of acute organophosphate poisoning can be expected. Furthermore, long-termed exposure to low doses of hazardous pesticides are linked to adverse health effects in immune, hematological, nervous, endocrine and reproductive systems as well as DNA damage [2, 16]. Thus, interventions promoting safe work practices reducing farmers’ hazardous pesticide exposure are needed to reduce farmers’ risk of acute pesticide poisoning and chronic sequelae of pesticide exposure.…”