SAT-133 BLOOD ACETYLCHOLINESTERASE ACTIVITY AND COMPARATIVE eGFR IN RURAL FARMERS WITH LOW, INTERMEDIATE, AND HIGH EXPOSURE TO ORGANOPHOSPHOROUS CONTAINING AGROCHEMICALS

Abstract

Organophosphorous containing agrochemicals (OCAs) are commonly used by farmers to prevent destruction of farm products by pests and weeds. Their role as risk factors of kidney disease is currently being evaluated. Blood acetylcholinesterase inhibition is a recognized marker of exposure to organophosphorous containing chemicals. We conducted a study to determine the proportion of rural farmers who use these agents, their blood acetylcholinesterase activities and comparative estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) in those with low, intermediate, and high exposure. A cross-sectional study of nine rural farming communities in Southwestern Nigeria. Degree of exposure was categorized using the following criteria: (a) Years of active farming - Low (0-10 years) and High (> 10 years), (b) Use of protective garment - Low (Yes), High (No). A score of low for both parameters was categorized as low exposure, a score of low and high in both parameters was graded as intermediate exposure, while a score of high in both parameters was graded as high exposure. All participants were evaluated for kidney function using CKD-EPI equation to calculate the eGFR. Blood acetylcholinesterase activity was evaluated by the modified Ellman’s method. Five hundred and seventy two farmers participated in the study. Two hundred and twenty five (39.3%) were males while 347 (60.7%) were females. Mean age of participants was 52 ± 17.5 (range 18 – 100) years. Years of active farming ranged from 0.5 to 80 years, with a median of 25 years. Blood acetylcholinesterase activity ranged from 0 – 20.1 (mean 3.5 ± 3.5) µmol/min/mL in all participants. Four hundred participants (69.9%) stated that they used organophosphate containing agrochemicals. Exposure was low in 32 (8%), intermediate in 161 (40.6%), and high in 200 (50%) of these participants. Blood acetylcholinesterase activities / eGFR levels in low, intermediate, and high exposures are shown in the table. Statistically, blood acetylcholinesterase activities were similar in those with high compared to those with low exposure (P = 0.338). However, eGFR was significantly lower in those with high compared to those with low exposure (P = 000). Use of organophosphate containing agrochemicals was high in the rural farmers examined. There was a decline in eGFR with higher exposure. However, blood acetylcholinesterase activity levels did not appear to differ significantly among the different groups of exposure studied. There is a need for a prospective study to determine the normal range of blood acetylcholinesterase levels in unexposed individuals to define the minimum duration of exposure to organophosphate agrochemicals neccessary for significant surpression of blood of acetylcholinesterase levels in the rural farmers.