Acute organo-phosphorus pesticide poisoning in North Karnataka, India: oxidative damage, haemoglobin level and total leukocyte

Abstract

Background: Pesticide poisoning is an important cause of morbidity and mortality in India. Objectives: To assess the oxidative damage, hemoglobin level and leukocyte count in acute organophosphorus pesticide poisoning. Methods: Plasma cholinesterase was assessed as a toxicity marker. Oxidative damage was assessed by estimating serum malondialdehyde (MDA) levels, plasma total antioxidant capacity (TAC), erythrocyte superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT) and glutathione peroxidase (GPx) levels. Results: Progressive and significant decline (p< 0.001) in plasma cholinesterase in correlation with the severity of organophosphorus poisoning was observed. Serum MDA levels significantly increased (p< 0.001) in all grades of organophosphorus poisoning cases as compared to controls. Erythrocyte SOD, CAT and GPx were significantly increased (p< 0.05) in earlier grade and (p< 0.001) in later grades of organophosphorus poisoning cases as compared to controls. While plasma TAC (p<0.001) was significantly decreased in all grades of organophosphorus poisoning cases as compared to controls. Leucocytosis observed in these cases signifies the activation of defense mechanism which could be a positive response for survival. Conclusion: Organophosphorus compounds inhibit cholinesterase action leading to cholinergic hyperactivity. Increased MDA level may lead to peroxidative damages deteriorating the structural and functional integrity of neuronal membrane. Increased erythrocyte SOD, CAT and GPx activities suggest an adaptive measure to tackle the pesticide accumulation. Hence it is concluded that cholinesterase inhibition may initiate cellular dysfunction leading to acetylcholine induced oxidative damage.

Impact of parathion exposure on some biochemical parameters in rabbit as a non target organism

“…The inhibition of cholinesterase action is leading to cholinergic hyperactivity resulting in the death of the animal. 7,8 In our study it was found that the brain contained extremely high enzyme activity followed by the liver. Administration of sublethal dose of parathion (0.2 mg/kg/day) for successive two weeks into rabbits elicited highly significant inhibition of ChE in all tested organs.…”

“…6 It is a well-known AChE inhibitor just like other OPs which leads to the accumulation of acetylcholine and results in excessive stimulation of postsynaptic receptors and consequent signs of toxicity. 7,8 The general physiology of rabbits is similar to humans; therefore, the rabbit has been used as a model for human diseases. The rabbit is large enough to provide adequate quantities of tissue for experimental work without pooling of samples but is small enough to be economical for most studies.…”

Hemato-biochemical and Genetic Damage Caused by Triazophos in Fresh Water Fish, Labeo rohita

“…Increased concentrations of these enzymes could be related to increased lipid peroxidation products and synthesis of reactive oxygen species inducing serious damage to biological membranes and different other cytoplasmic contents. In this study insecticide induced higher levels of malondialdehyde and nitric oxide which might be related to induction of oxidative stress in association to impair intracellular metabolism and over synthesis of reactive oxygen species by NADPH oxidase which potentiate cell swelling and impaired mitochondrial function, since the organophosphate insecticides are well known to cause oxidative stress (Jain et al, 2010;Mossalam et al, 2011;Hussain et al, 2013;Hundekari et al, 2013). The possible cause of oxidative stress in this study is the activation of intracellular signaling molecules and N-methyl-D-aspartate receptors by insecticide intoxication.…”

“…In addition, occupational exposure to pesticides poses major threats including adverse reproduction, congenital anomalies and genotoxic effects (Hussain et al, 2011;Ahmad et al, 2012). Due to less toxic and low persistence than many other compounds these pesticides are routinely employed in the field of agriculture, livestock sector, public health management and medicine (Deka et al, 2012;Hundekari et al, 2013;Hussain et al, 2014). Frequent and extensive use of organophosphorus insecticides results in accumulation of these chemicals in natural water systems and variety of daily consumable food materials including vegetables and grains as a the major sources of contact (Schipper et al, 2008;Edwards et al, 2013;Rivadeneira et al, 2013).…”

Response to: Acute organo-phosphorus pesticide poisoning in North Karnataka, India: Oxidative damage, haemoglobin level and total leukocyte

“…Hundekari et al noted that "cholinesterase inhibition may initiate cellular dysfunction leading to acetylcholine induced oxidative damage 1 ." This work is very useful information in clinical toxicology.…”