Abstract
<p><strong>Objectives:</strong> The present study is to see the effects of human exposure to selected pesticides on their liver and kidney function as well as variations in butyrylcholinesterase (BChE) were studied.</p><p><strong>Patients and Methods:</strong><strong> </strong>The study group consisted of 88 participants selected through purposive sampling technique and participated voluntarily. Sixty one pesticides vendors (male; mean age: 33.82 ± 11.5 years) and a control group consisting of 27 healthy male (mean age: 31.04 ± 11.96 years).</p><p><strong>Results:</strong><strong> </strong>Mean levels of total proteins (TP, g/dl), albumin (g/dl) and BChE (u/l) were significantly lower in pesticide exposed individuals than those of control group [6.96 ± 1.45 vs. 8.75 ± 1.05 (total protein); 3.47 ± 0.76 vs. 4.37 ± 0.23 (albumin); 4213.20 ± 1128.96 vs. 5955.90 ± 623.16 (BChE, u/l), <em>P </em>&lt; 0.001]. Among the pesticide vendors, urea (<em>P &lt; </em>0.01) and ALT (alanine amino transferase) (<em>P &lt; </em>0.05) concentrations were increased and BChE (<em>P </em>= 0.001) level decreased significantly in smokers than in non-smokers. Pesticide vendors having longer exposure time to pesticides had significantly higher levels of urea (<em>P &lt; </em>0.05) and ALT (<em>P &lt; </em>0.01) but had lower levels oftotal proteins (<em>P &lt; </em>0.01) and BChE <em>(P </em>= 0.001). Vendors who were not using proper protective measures showed significant increase in ALT (<em>P &lt; </em>0.01) level and decrease in total proteins (<em>P &lt; </em>0.05) and BChE <em>(P </em>= 0.001).</p><p><strong>Conclusion:</strong><strong> </strong>The results of this study suggest that human exposure to pesticides has adverse effects on total proteins, albumin, urea, ALT, and BChE; these biomarkers were useful in studying adverse effects of pesticides in humans.</p>
Highlights
In agriculture based world economies, such as Pakistan, where this sector contributes 21% of the total GDP, use of toxic pesticides is on the rise
The results of this study suggest that human exposure to pesticides has adverse effects on total proteins, albumin, urea, alanine transaminase (ALT), and BChE; these biomarkers were useful in studying adverse effects of pesticides in humans
Mple, in the past 20 years, use of pesticides in Pakistan has increased by 11.9% and number of sprays per crop amounts to more than 10%
Summary
In agriculture based world economies, such as Pakistan, where this sector contributes 21% of the total GDP, use of toxic pesticides is on the rise. Mple, in the past 20 years, use of pesticides in Pakistan has increased by 11.9% and number of sprays per crop amounts to more than 10%.1. Some recent studies suggest a strong correlation between pesticide exposure and rise in the values of various liver and kidney related enzymes and other factors, such as alanine transaminase (ALT) and aspartate transaminase (AST), alkaline phosphate (ALP), total protein(TP), urea, creatinine, blilirubin total proteins, etc.[6] Different ill-effects of pesticides have been reported, such as changes in concentrations of glutamic-oxaloacetic acid transaminase (GOT), glutamic-pyruvic acid transaminase (GPT), and ALP.[7] A significant decrease in buytrylcholinesterase (BChE) has been previously observed in humans exposed to pesticides compared to those not exposed.[8] The pesticides tend to cause modifications in biochemical biomarkers, such as inhibition in BChE, etc.[9] Variations in AST, ALT, urea levels due to pesticide exposure[10] and variations in BChE have already been reported.[11] The marked increase in the serum urea levels and creatinine suggests impairment of kidney functions.[12] These parameters may be used as biomarkers to evaluate the adverse effects of pesticides in retailers/vendors as well as farmers. Scarce data are presently available concerning the study of biochemical markers in occupationally exposed individuals to pesticides, such as retailers/vendors
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