Relationship between Pesticide Metabolites, Cytokine Patterns, and Asthma-Related Outcomes in Rural Women Workers

Abstract

The objective of this study was to investigate the relationship between exposure to organophosphate (OP) and pyrethroid (PYR) pesticides with serum cytokine patterns and asthma-related outcomes among rural women workers. A cross-sectional study was conducted among rural women (n = 211), including those working and living on farms and nearby town dwellers. Pesticide exposure was assessed using urinary metabolite concentrations of OP and PYR pesticides. Health outcome assessment was ascertained through the European Community Respiratory Health Survey (ECRHS) questionnaire, fractional exhaled nitric oxide (FeNO), and serum cytokines associated with asthma. The prevalence of doctor-diagnosed asthma was 11%, adult-onset asthma 9%, and current asthma 6%. In this population, the proportion of T helper type 2 (Th2) cytokines (interleukin (IL)-4, IL-5, and IL-13) detectable in subjects was between 18% and 40%, while the proportion of non-Th2 cytokines (IL-6, IL-8, IL-10, IL-17, and interferon gamma) was between 35% and 71%. Most Th2 and non-Th2 cytokines were positively associated with either OP or PYR metabolites. Non-Th2 cytokines showed much stronger associations with OP metabolites (Dimethyl phosphate OR = 4.23; 95% CI: 1.54–11.65) than Th2 cytokines (Dimethyl phosphate OR = 1.69; 95% CI: 0.83–3.46). This study suggests that exposure to most OP and some PYR pesticides may be associated with asthma-related cytokines, with non-Th2 cytokines demonstrating consistently stronger relationships.

Maternal peripartum urinary pyrethroid metabolites are associated with thinner children at 3.5 years in the VHEMBE birth cohort (Limpopo, South Africa)

“…However, in poor and rural settings like our own, domestic use, agriculture and animal husbandry, as well as IRS for malaria control results in ubiquitous and frequent pyrethroid exposure, including among pregnant women. Detection frequencies and concentration quantiles in our study were higher than reported in the general US female population and in pregnant European women, comparable to regions in China, and lower than in an agriculturally intense regions elsewhere in South Africa 36 . Additionally, we were able to compare findings between urinary measures and self-reported usage of pyrethroids.…”

Anti-Inflammatory and Antioxidative Potential of Aloe vera on the Cartap and Malathion Mediated Toxicity in Wistar Rats

“…Proinflammatory cytokines are low molecular mass proteins secreted mainly by the activation of macrophages and lymphocytes [ 42 ]. Environmental contaminants, like pesticides, can potentially initiate the production of these marker cytokines [ 43 , 44 ]. The dysregulated production of cytokines has been linked with many inflammatory conditions [ 45 ].…”

Oxidative stress and inflammation following sub-lethal oral exposure of cypermethrin in rats: mitigating potential of epicatechin

“…Proinflammatory cytokines are low molecular weight proteins secreted mainly by the activation of macrophages and lymphocytes [74]. Environmental contaminants, such as CYP can induce the secretion of these cytokines [75, 76]. Dysregulation in the pathways leading to their production has been associated with pathological conditions such as inflammatory conditions and cancer [77].…”