Measurement of cholinesterase enzyme activity before and after exposure to organophosphate pesticides in farmers of a suburb region of Mazandaran, a northern province of Iran

Abstract

<jats:sec><jats:title>Introduction:</jats:title><jats:p> Accidental toxicity by organophosphate (OP) agents may occur among farmers during spraying season due to improper use and handling. Plasma cholinesterase (ChE) activity measurement is recommended to monitor the extent of exposure to the OP agent. The aim of the current study was to measure plasma ChE activity before and after exposure with OP pesticides. </jats:p></jats:sec><jats:sec><jats:title>Methods:</jats:title><jats:p> This was a prospective study conducted on 36 farmers working in the farm field. The plasma ChE level was measured before spraying and 2 days and 8 weeks after spraying season and exposure to OP agent. Farmers were observed for clinical signs and symptoms of toxicity after exposure. </jats:p></jats:sec><jats:sec><jats:title>Results:</jats:title><jats:p> Vertimac was the most common agent used by farmers followed by diazinon and chlorpyrifos. The plasma ChE level significantly decreased after exposure by over 50%. The level returned to preexposure level after 8 weeks. </jats:p></jats:sec><jats:sec><jats:title>Conclusion:</jats:title><jats:p> Exposure to OP pesticide is a major concern in the developing countries. More than 50% reduction in the plasma ChE activity after spraying is an alarming message for health-care system and policy makers. Furthermore, workplace evaluation, serial ChE monitoring, and appropriate training and education to exposed individuals would be initial important steps to avoid the toxicity or reduce the severity of poisoning. </jats:p></jats:sec>

Occupational risk factors among Iranian farmworkers: a review of the available evidence

“…They found that hematological parameters such as hemoglobin (p= 0.002), hematocrit (p= 0.001), and prothrombin time (p= 0.001), were higher in farmworkers than in workers with other occupations. Pakravan et al [ 39 ] measured plasma cholinesterase activity before and after exposure to organophosphate pesticides in farmworkers. Based on their findings, pesticide exposure decreased plasma cholinesterase levels by 50%.…”

Biomonitoring as an Underused Exposure Assessment Tool in Occupational Safety and Health Context—Challenges and Way Forward

“…The non-specific biomarkers do not point to an individual cause of the effect, but they may reflect the total, integrated effect due, for instance, exposure to a mixture. Some early effect biomarkers have essentially been used as ‘exposure biomarkers’ in OSH e.g., cholinesterase activity for organophosphate pesticides [ 59 ], carboxyhaemoglobin for carbon monoxide [ 60 ]—these tend to be less generic markers so whilst still not specific they are focused on a group of chemicals with a common adverse effect. Both types of biomarkers of effect are useful indicators of early (critical) effects and can signal higher risks for a particular group of workers, helping to define priorities for preventive actions [ 58 ].…”

Alteration of hepatocellular antioxidant gene expression pattern and biomarkers of oxidative damage in diazinon-induced acute toxicity in Wistar rat: a time–course mechanistic study

“…The rate of detoxification as well as duration of toxicity play important roles (Abdollahi et al, 2004[ 2 ]; Mostafalou et al, 2013[ 39 ]). There is clear evidence in the literature about the link between different pesticides exposure and occurrence of various human chronic diseases, such as cancer, Parkinson, Alzheimer, multiple sclerosis, diabetes, cardiovascular and chronic kidney diseases (Mostafalou and Abdollahi, 2017[ 37 ]; Souza et al, 2011[ 56 ]; Mostafalou et al, 2012[ 38 ]; Maqbool et al, 2016[ 30 ], 2017[ 31 ]; Pakravan et al, 2016[ 44 ]). Diazinon (O,O-diethyl O-[4-methyl-6-(propan-2-yl) pyrimidin-2-yl] phosphorothioate) (DZN) is an OP insecticide which is extensively used in agriculture and households (Pakzad et al, 2013[ 45 ]).…”