Cytogenetic and molecular biomonitoring of a Portuguese population exposed to pesticides

Abstract

Widespread use of pesticides in agriculture represents a threat not only to the environment but also to human populations exposed to them. Many of these compounds are capable of inducing mutations in DNA and lead to several diseases including cancer. In the present study, cytogenetic damage in peripheral lymphocytes from 33 farmers of Oporto district (Portugal) exposed to pesticides was evaluated by means of micronuclei (MN), sister chromatid exchange (SCE) and chromosomal aberrations (CA). In addition, effect of polymorphic genes of xenobiotic metabolizing enzymes (GSTM1, GSTT1, GSTP1, CYP2E1 and EPHX1) was also evaluated. A non-exposed group from the same area and with same demographic characteristics without exposure to genotoxic compounds was studied and data obtained from both groups was compared. MN and SCE frequencies were significantly higher in the exposed group (P < 0.005). In what concerns CA results, no significant differences were observed. It was possible to relate a specific working environment (greenhouses) with higher levels of genetic damage. Use of personal protective equipment revealed to be important to prevent exposure and diminish genetic damage inflicted by pesticides. Allele frequencies of studied polymorphic genes obtained in this study are similar to the ones described by other authors for Caucasian populations. Despite the low number of subjects, results suggest that low mEH (microsomal epoxide hydrolase) activity as well as GSTT1 positive genotype are associated with increased cytogenetic damage.

Agrochemicals: Horticulture Use Conditions Determine Genotoxic Effects and Oxidative Damage in Rural Populations in Santa Fe, Argentina

“…This can be due to the misconception that non-applicators are not as exposed as applicators. Our study revealed similar frequencies in the Comet assay considering applicators and non-applicators in agreement with previous research (Costa et al, 2006). Therefore, occupational exposure to pesticides can fluctuate in time and the skin constitutes a significant exposure route of absorption mainly in agriculture (Jakubowski & Trzcinka-Ochocka, 2005).…”

“…An increase in micronuclei was seen in pesticide-exposed people who did not wear protective gloves (Bolognesi et al, 2002). At the same time, increases in the frequencies of chromosomal aberrations and micronuclei have been found in some studies where the population exposed to pesticides wore no protection during work activities (Costa et al, 2006) or little or no protective clothes (Dulout et al, 1985). Interestingly, several studies that reported a majority of workers using protective measures (>60%) concluded that the results were negative (Bolognesi et al, 2004;Pastor et al, 2001 andPiperakis et al, 2003 and, suggesting the importance of PPE for preventing exposure.…”

Abnormal sperm morphology in mouse germ cells after short-term exposures to acetamiprid, propineb, and their mixture

“…Many investigations have focused on the evaluation of genotoxicity of pesticides in occupational or environmental settings using different methods (2)(3)(4)(5)(6)(7)(8)(9)(10)(11)(12). It has been reported that exposure to environmental contaminants including pesticides causes major pathological effects in the human male reproductive system as well as that of experimental animals (13,14).…”

Genotoxicity of commercial fungicide Cabrio Plus on human cell

“…The tests performed on cell cultures and/or in the animal model indicated that agrochemicals could significantly increase DNA damage. Furthermore, human biomonitoring studies on the genotoxicity of pesticides, assessed with the micronucleus test, the sister-chromatid exchange (SCE) assay, the chromosomal aberration (CA) test, and the comet assay (Augusto et al 1997;Coskun et al 2011;Costa et al 2006Costa et al , 2007Gomez-Arroyo et al 2000;Martínez-Valenzuela et al 2009;Paiva et al 2011;Ü ndeger and Başaran 2002), have shown that occupational exposure to such chemicals could induce a significant increase in genetic damage.…”