Enzymatic changes in orchard workers with occupational exposure to pesticides

Svetlana Cekovska,Sonja Topuzovska,Sasho Stoleski,Jasna Bogdanska,Danica Labudovik,Biljana Bauer,Katerina Tosheska-Trajkovska,Violeta Soleva,Irena Kostovska,Julijana Brezovska-Kavrakova

doi:10.33320/maced.pharm.bull.2018.64.02.002

Abstract

Organophosphates (OP) and carbamates, frequently used pesticides, can cause a variety of adverse health effects, ranging from simple irritation of the skin and eyes to more severe effects. The aim of this study was to evaluate the association between chronic occupational pesticide exposure and changes in serum activities of alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), gamma glutamyl transferase (GGT), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), acetylcholinesterase (AChE) and creatine phosphokinase (CPK) in orchard workers. In the study, 47 peach orchard workers were included, at the age from 19 to 60 years, with monthly exposure to pesticides from 5 to 20 days and 1 to 35 working years. The control group consisted of 40 healthy age-matched men, without exposure to pesticides. All orchard workers kept to safety precautions. 68% of workers reported some physical signs and symptoms. A significantly decreased AChE activity was detected in 10.6% of orchard workers and increased CPK activity in 40.4%. Very weak negative correlation was detected between AChE and ALP activities (r = -0.34, p = 0.001) and between AChE and CPK activities (r = -0.25, p = 0.02). No correlation was found between the serum AChE and day of monthly exposure, as well as years of exposure. The results have shown that orchard workers with decreased AChE activity and increased CPK activity should be monitored as workers with an increased risk for severe pesticide poisoning. These findings suggest that chronic occupational exposure to pesticides elicit mild toxic effects, as well as biochemical changes of unknown long-term consequences. Keywords: Toxic effects; Carbamates pesticide, Organophosphate pesticide, Serum enzymes, Orchard workers, Occupational exposure

Highlights

IntroductionS. Cekovska, S. Stoleski, V. Soleva, K. Tosheska-Trajkovska, D. Labudovik, J. Bogdanska, J. Brezovska-Kavrakova, I. Kostovska, B. Bauer, S. Topuzoska these compounds derives from excessive stimulation of muscarinic and nicotinic cholinergic receptors by the accumulated acethylcholine in the central and autonomic nervous systems as well as at skeletal neuromuscular junctions (Clark et al, 2006), due to decreased Acetylcholinesterase activity (AChE). Furthermore, OP increase reactive oxygen species level which results in oxidative stress and contributes to cell membrane lipid peroxidation, DNA damage and cell death (Milić et al, 2018; Szatkowska et al, 2012; Uzunkhisarcikli et al, 2011)
These findings suggest that chronic occupational exposure to pesticides elicit mild toxic effects, as well as biochemical changes of unknown long-term consequences
The results have shown that there is statistically significant increased activity of alkaline phosphatase (ALP) and creatine phosphokinase (CPK) activity and significantly decreased AChE activity in orchard workers in comparison with these enzyme activities in healthy men without occupational exposure to pesticides

Summary

Introduction

S. Cekovska, S. Stoleski, V. Soleva, K. Tosheska-Trajkovska, D. Labudovik, J. Bogdanska, J. Brezovska-Kavrakova, I. Kostovska, B. Bauer, S. Topuzoska these compounds derives from excessive stimulation of muscarinic and nicotinic cholinergic receptors by the accumulated acethylcholine in the central and autonomic nervous systems as well as at skeletal neuromuscular junctions (Clark et al, 2006), due to decreased Acetylcholinesterase activity (AChE). Furthermore, OP increase reactive oxygen species level which results in oxidative stress and contributes to cell membrane lipid peroxidation, DNA damage and cell death (Milić et al, 2018; Szatkowska et al, 2012; Uzunkhisarcikli et al, 2011).

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