Abstract
BackgroundThe uncontrolled long-term exposure to organophosphorus (OP) pesticides is hazardous to health especially in children. The present study aimed to determine the acetyl cholinesterase enzyme serum level in exposure and non-exposure children groups, to explore other clinical and laboratory outcomes of organophosphorus pesticides exposure on children living in rural versus urban areas, and to establish the hemotoxic alterations as a result of the exposure. A ninety clinically free children—forty-five from rural areas and forty-five children from urban areas—were assessed, and the clinical and laboratory effects of their exposure to organophosphorus pesticides were evaluated via measuring acetyl cholinesterase (AChE) enzyme activity.ResultsSignificant differences between the two areas of residence were found in weight %, visits to the field, eating vegetables without washing, presence of insecticides at home, and previous organophosphorus pesticides toxicity of the patients and their families. Eye, respiratory, cardiac, nervous, muscle, gastrointestinal, and urinary symptoms were more common in the rural residence group which shows more exposure to pesticides. The mean level of the AChE enzyme was less in the rural residence group than the other one, and it showed significant correlations with the anemia indicating parameters. A weak positive correlation was found with platelets count.ConclusionsChronic organophosphorus toxicity that is more prevalent in rural areas may result in many transient neglected symptoms, unrevealed acetyl cholinesterase (AChE) enzyme deficiency, anemia, and thrombocytopenia. Acetyl cholinesterase enzyme serum level can be used as a screening test for organophosphorus pesticides exposure.
Highlights
The uncontrolled long-term exposure to organophosphorus (OP) pesticides is hazardous to health especially in children
Chronic organophosphorus exposure is associated with unrevealed anemia and thrombocytopenia
The main mechanism of action of organophosphates is the suppression of carboxyl ester hydrolases, essentially acetylcholinesterase (AChE) which breaks down the neurotransmitter acetylcholine (ACh) into choline and acetic acid and it is present mainly in the central and peripheral nervous system, neuromuscular junctions, and red blood cells (RBCs) [3]
Summary
The uncontrolled long-term exposure to organophosphorus (OP) pesticides is hazardous to health especially in children. The present study aimed to determine the acetyl cholinesterase enzyme serum level in exposure and non-exposure children groups, to explore other clinical and laboratory outcomes of organophosphorus pesticides exposure on children living in rural versus urban areas, and to establish the hemotoxic alterations as a result of the exposure. A ninety clinically free children—forty-five from rural areas and forty-five children from urban areas—were assessed, and the clinical and laboratory effects of their exposure to organophosphorus pesticides were evaluated via measuring acetyl cholinesterase (AChE) enzyme activity. Organophosphorus pesticides can cause chronic toxicity either through prolonged exposure for too long periods or through. Organophosphates deactivate AChE via phosphorylating the serine hydroxyl group present at the active site of acetylcholinesterase. Acetylcholinesterase enzyme activity is considered a specific marker for exposure to organophosphorus pesticides [5]
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